Easy Pumpkin Biscotti
Recipe for Making Holiday Biscotti Cookies for Holiday Gift-Giving
Oct 23, 2009
Pumpkins can be found heaped in patches and at the local grocery right now, but canned pumpkin can be used just as well in the recipe listed here. Loaded with an important antioxidant, Beta-carotene, pumpkins are a good source of Vitamin A, C, K, E, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and iron.
While the mighty pumpkin is traditionally eaten in pumpkin pies across the United States at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, it can also be used in a variety of ways, such as in waffles, cakes, breads, pancakes, and cookies. Even the seeds, when toasted and flavored with salt or other flavorings, are good sources of minerals too.
Pumpkin Biscotti Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tbls grated orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp orange extract
- 1-1/2 cups toasted walnuts (chopped coarsely)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300°. Stir together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk pumpkin, eggs, oil, orange zest and extracts together. Add pumpkin mixture to the dry, flour mixture; beat until a soft dough forms. Turn it all onto a lightly floured surface. Add walnuts and knead for several minutes or until walnuts are evenly dispersed throughout dough.
- Divide dough into thirds. On a lightly greased baking sheet, shape each piece of dough into a loaf (2" x 10" loaf). Place loaves onto baking sheet approximately 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until loaves are golden brown. Cool ten minutes on baking sheet.
- Cut loaves diagonally into 1/2 inch slices. Lay them on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes on one side, and 15 minutes on the other side.
- Place cookies on a wire rack to cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Makes 3-1/2 dozen Biscotti cookies.
Gift-Giving Tips
- When choosing a pumpkin for baking, make sure to choose a 1-5 lb sugar pumpkin for best taste.
- Choose a handy gift bag for wrapping up Biscotti.
- After bags have been twist-tied, place Biscotti in airtight containers for gifting.
- When shipping Biscotti, wrap in bubble wrap and boxes to ensure no damage while shipping.
The finishing touches on every baked good item require a little thought. Twist ties around baggies, bubble wrap around baked goods, and large boxes with plenty of popcorn or packing peanuts will ensure the home baked gift will arrive in perfect condition. Don't send baked goods in a paper gift bag without protection.
For more gift ideas with food:
Holiday Gifts From the Kitchen
Gifts to Make Using Fresh Cranberries
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