Bakery -- Lavender Honey Biscotti
Submitted by dvdlee on August 27, 2004 at 10:09 am

DESCRIPTION
Bakery -- Lavender Honey Biscotti

SUMMARY
Yield 0 File under Cookies Brownies Bars

INSTRUCTIONS
Makes 4-5 dozen

Based on the flavors of a popular Provenýal ice cream, these honey-lavender biscotti are best made with an assertive honey, such as a spicy clover. Be sure and use a culinary grade lavender (grown with no pesticides). One good source is Penseys.com.

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons minced zest from
1 orange
1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms (available from Penseys.com)

1. Sift first 4 ingredients together in a small bowl.

2. Whisk sugar and eggs in a large bowl to a light lemon color; stir in next 3 (or 4) ingredients. Sift dry ingredients over egg mixture, then fold in until dough is just combined.

3. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Halve dough and turn each portion onto an oiled cookie sheet covered with parchment. Using floured hands, quickly stretch each portion of dough into a rough 13-by-2-inch log, placing them about 3 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Pat each dough shape to smooth it. Bake, turning pan once, until loaves are golden and just beginning to crack on top, about 35 minutes.

4. Cool the loaves for 10 minutes; lower oven temperature to 325 degrees. Cut each loaf diagonally into 3/8-inch slices with a serrated knife. Lay the slices about 1/2-inch apart on the cookie sheet, cut side up, and return them to the oven. Bake, turning over each cookie halfway through baking, until crisp and golden brown on both sides, about 15 minutes. Transfer biscotti to wire rack and cool completely. (Biscotti can be stored in an airtight container for at least 1 month.)

Note: you can speed up the 2nd baking by putting the slices on a cooling rack placed on the baking sheet (this lets the heat & air can circulate around them).