Perfect Peppermint Chocolate Holiday Biscotti

Who doesn't love crunchy biscotti alongside a cup of afternoon coffee?  Drizzle that biscotti with dark chocolate and it becomes irresistible.  But for the holidays?  Dip that chocolate drizzle into crushed candy cane and we have pure peppermint perfection.

Inspired by Liv's girlfriend, Piper, who made the peppermint suggestion last year, I'm only sorry I waited an entire year to make these beauties.

But not before finishing our holiday season with these chocolate dipped biscotti sprinkled with festive crushed candy cane.  Twice baked for a perfect bite, biscotti works as an lovely afternoon treat and just as well as in the morning alongside a cup of steaming hot cocoa.  And... I'm thinking I know a certain world traveler who would love a few of these cookies on a plate by the fireplace as a midnight snack. :)

Triple Orange Holiday Biscotti

Our lights are up and twinkling, the tree is decorated, shopping mostly done and presents wrapped.  But somehow this year I feel like I'm simply going through the motions.  My heart just isn't into the season, and while I have girlfriends pledging to induce holiday spirit, so far I'm not feeling it.

Hence, the appropriate action seems to bake.  Somehow mixing together flour and sugar always puts me into a better frame of mind, but add a little Grand Marnier and we have something special, don't we?

Crunchy yet not crisp, these Triple Orange Biscotti have been a tradition on my holiday platters since the recipe release in 2003.  Featured in Fine Cooking, Susan Betz's recipe has been made close to 30 times in my kitchen with yearly requests from neighbors and friends.

A lovely hostess gift or entry into a cookie exchange, the biscotti also works wonders alongside an afternoon cup of coffee.

Adaptable and forgiving, I've "healthified" the cookies on occasion by reducing the oil and adding whole wheat or spelt flours, but for the holidays I usually stick to the original recipe and these bright biscotti induce smiles with every bite.

The recipe comments the dough will be sticky... and be aware they really mean it.  Sticky... very, very sticky - the dough almost seems slack, as if it will puddle off of the cookie sheet.  But no worries, it won't.

Attitude adjustment?  I think we have success.

Taylor's Ultimate Triple Chocolate Rehearsal Biscotti... Dance Mom Approved

Dance Moms... do you watch the Lifetime Show?  If you haven't, don't.  It's terrible.  But as a dance mom, it's totally addicting.

With some 13 years of Dance "Momness" under my belt, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the subject.  I've done it all, overnight rhinestoning sessions, minutes before going onstage tap shoe and costume repair, duct taped pieces in place, and ultimate hairstyles, all followed by rivers of tears as I sit in the audience watching these talented girls live their passion.

I'd always considered myself a soccer mom, but as my son grew up and Liv began competitive dance, I embraced my Dance Mom life, and clearly explain to everyone I meet that we are nothing like the catty, mean moms you see on tv.

Having watched Liv's teammates grow up, I feel almost as thought I have some 20+ step daughters, all whom I love almost as much as Liv.  I've grown to know their favorite things, their fears and insecurities, their personalities, and their tastes.  Baking and cooking for them fills my heart and when I get special requests I leap to the project.

Ever since creating Miss Abbie's (we have our own, much more amazing Miss Abbie) Amazing Race Biscotti, biscotti has been the most requested recipe.  This week Taylor H. sent a request for Chocolate Biscotti with "lots" of chocolate chips.  Easy enough.  But would a chocolate drizzle be too much?  Our texts went as follows...

Me:  "So... if I were to make a Chocolate Biscotti with lots of chocolate chips, would a you want a chocolate drizzle on top??"

Taylor:  "Who wouldn't???!!!!"

All righty then... drizzle it is!  Tweaking our Nutella Biscotti recipe to pure, unadulterated chocolate, I set Liv to the task of adding the chocolate drizzle.  As she does on stage, her drizzle was done with passion.  Thinking perhaps it was too much, we allowed the chocolate to set, then did our own taste test.

Too much?  Not a chance!  Rich with the perfect biscotti bite, Taylor's Ultimate Chocolate Rehearsal Biscotti disappeared in a flash at the girls first competition rehearsal and received the esteemed score of Platinum Plus.  Beat that Abbie Lee Miller!

Triple Orange Biscotti ~ #ChristmasWeek #CakeBossBaking

Welcome to Day #6 of Christmas Week, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Jen from Juanita’s Cocina!  Each day we will be celebrating the holidays with a different set of Christmas-themed treats, as well as a fabulous Christmas giveaway.  We hope you enjoy this fabulous event.  Tune in each day starting today, Monday, December 9th and ending Saturday, December 14th.

------------------------------------------------------------

A few weeks ago I posted about my holiday spirit... or as you may remember, it was my lack of holiday spirit that concerned Liv and had her proclaiming how much more joyful other moms made the season.  Well, this year I've been working on it, and I'm succeeding!

Christmas Spirit just may be a state of mind, but embracing this season has had my December a really joyful place.  From decorating and shopping to  wrapping presents and writing cards, this season has been amazingly fun and I owe a part of my joyousness to Kim and Jen for setting up #ChristmasWeek and including me in the festivities.

Reading the cheerful and jolly posts from this fabulous group of food bloggers, one's heart can't help but soar.  And today, we wrap up this celebration with even more treats and one final giveaway... the best of the week according to Liv.  Everyone knows Buddy from the Cake Boss right?  Check below for this awesome Cake Boss bakeware and tools giveaway!

But first we have a treat.  The amazingly bright Triple Orange Biscotti.  If you're a regular reader of Liv Life, you can probably guess my favorite ingredient of the orange trio... that heavenly and luscious Grand Marnier. 

While the recipe includes only a few tablespoons of the ambrosial liquor, I've found the ingredient truly takes the biscotti up a level.  Along with fragrant orange zest in combination with the juice of a seasonal sweet orange, these crunchy treats bring a brightness to your morning coffee and a perk to an afternoon treat.

Packaged in a cute tin or a clear bag with a bow, these cookies make an ideal hostess gift, and with the decent sized result from the recipe, there are always plenty to save a few for yourself.

I've been making biscotti for some 20 years, and while I love everything about these cookies, I have to admit their sticky dough is one of the most challenging I've worked with.  A Fine Cooking recipe from 2003, I've made this recipe several times as written as well as with a few variations, all with success.

With olive oil included in the ingredient list, I've occasionally left the oil out to reduce the calorie count, and I've also substituted whole wheat flour for a portion of the all-purpose.  But for the holidays I usually stick to the original recipe and these sunny biscotti are always welcomed with a smile.

The recipe comments that the dough will be sticky... and be aware that they really mean it.  Sticky... very, very sticky.  Making my biscotti yesterday I decided to try two batches, one exactly as written in 2003 and the second, making changes where I figured I could probably make the biscotti better.

How did they turn out??  Well... lets just say both versions were exceedingly good, and while my version was innately easier to work with, the Fine Cooking version baked up better.  Hence, I'm sticking with the sticky dough (it almost seems slack, as if it will puddle off of the cookie sheet, but it won't) and admitting that Fine Cooking really might know as much as, or perhaps... a little more than I about baking.

But who knows more about baking than anyone??  The Cake Boss!!  And wouldn't you love to be the lucky recipient of this fabulous giveaway???  Liv looked at it this morning and exclaimed, "Why, oh why did you have to write for this one?  What were you thinking??"  I believe I got one of my first serious eye rolls included somewhere in there too.  But she's kind of right, how cool is this???!!!

Today’s #ChristmasWeek giveaway comes courtesy of Cake Boss Baking. Cake Boss Baking is the new branded bake ware from Buddy Valastro, the talented chef and baker behind the TLC TV show, "Cake Boss". Cake Boss Baking features a full line of cake pans, decorating tools, dessert plates and more, with product for all levels of expertise. Cake Boss Baking is offering one #ChristmasWeek reader the opportunity to win a prize package full of baking tools and essentials {ARV: $260}, including: 

To enter, read the details and use the Rafflecopter below!
 
 ***This giveaway is for one Cake Boss Baking baking essentials prize pack (details listed above).  This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only.  When the contest concludes, the winner will be chosen by random draw.  The winner will be notified through e-mail and they will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now that you've entered to win that awesome prize package, take a trip with me to see what everyone else brought to close out this fabulous #ChristmasWeek!

How To Make Perfect Gingerbread People by Cravings of a Lunatic

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cobbler by Juanita's Cocina

S'mores Fudge by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Cherry Noir Noel by Noshing With The Nolands

Japanese Blondies by Ninja Baking

Peanut Brittle by Food Lust People Love

Elf Nibbles by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Salted Caramel by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Gingerbread Men Cookies by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Mint Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars by Mom's Test Kitchen

Penuche by Cooking In Stilettos

Triple Orange Biscotti by Liv Life

Homemade Caramels by Jen's Favorite Cookies

Kerstol (Dutch Christmas Bread) by The Dutch Baker's Daughter

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust by Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Tropical Toffee Brittle by Home Cooking Memories

Chocolate Raspberry Linzer Cookies by Pineapple and Coconut

Lemon-Pistachio and White Chocolate Biscotti by The Little Ferraro Kitchen 

 

Rustic Orange Pistachio Biscotti with Cranberries

December, for me, usually represents a touch of indulgence.  Somehow because it's the "holiday season" I give myself permission for that 3rd or 4th cookie on the plate, the extra cheese and crackers with my wine, and one more piece of Mom's Rocky Road Candy that I'm devouring even though it's safely hidden in the freezer.  Knowing I really won't get back on the full healthy eating track until after the New Year, I try to add healthier ingredients where I can, and I'm feeling pretty darn good about these Rustic Pistachio Biscotti.

Biscotti, with their low fat content, tend to be a healthier choice when cookie indulging, but adding nuts, cranberries and whole wheat flours to the mix makes them an even better choice in my book.

Receiving a care package from the lovely people at Hodgson Mill, their box arrived just in time for my baking duties for a fundraiser for Liv's high school dance team where these biscotti received the ultimate compliment.  Set out as part of an array of treats for an afternoon fashion show and tea, one of the grandfathers in attendance proclaimed these biscotti "The best treat on the table!"  As my heart swelled with pride, I felt pleased knowing these treats brought a healthier cookie choice to the event.

Choosing Hodgson Mill's White Whole Wheat Flour, I feel I can easily incorporate whole wheats into my baked goods while still keeping the treat, well... sweet.

White whole wheat is named for it's lighter color, and while it's actually tan, the flour lends a lighter, whiter color than its red-colored cousin.  Milder and sweeter than the red wheat, I use the white wheat frequently in cookies, pancakes, muffins and other baked good where I don't want a heavy wheat look and/or flavor.

Hodgson Mill is a flour I often turn to as I know their flours have no added chemicals or preservatives and they aren't bleached.  Stone ground at Hodgson Mill's mill, this whole wheat flour includes the entire healthy wheat kernel including the bran, germ and endosperm bringing fiber along with all the nutrients, protein and minerals the wheat plant grew.

Want to try Hodgson Mill flours for yourself?  First off Hodgson Mill is offering a $1.00 off coupon for a 5lb bag of flour or cornmeal, but better yet, they have provied us the opportunity to run a giveaway in celebration of their 25 Days of Grain Holiday for a prize pack filled with Hodgson Mill goodies (Gluten Free option available - Prize valued at $25).

~ Hodgson Mills #GRAINholiday Giveaway ~

The Fine Print...

• No purchase necessary
• Open only to residents of the United States (no P.O. Boxes please...)
• Duration:  Wednesday December 4rd through Tuesday, December 10th at noon PST
• Use PromoSimple Widget to enter
• Winner will be selected by PromoSimple within 48 hours of the sweepstakes closing and contacted by email. Winners have 24 hours to respond to their notification email to claim their prize. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen. All prizes will be awarded.
• Prize Description:  
  Whole Wheat Prize Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 2LB bag Whole Wheat Flour
  ·         1 bag 9-Grain Bread Mix
  ·         1 box Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         1 package Steel Cut Oats
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
  
  OR
  Gluten Free Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Brown Rice w/ Golden Milled Flax Seed
  ·         1 box Gluten Free Sweet Yellow Cornbread mix
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
• Giveaway sponsored by Hodgson Mills
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

I can't tell you how envious I am of the lucky winner here... I'd love to see a copy of that cookbook!  For additional info and ways to win Hodgson Mills products be sure to check out their "25 Days of GRAIN Holiday” Sweepstakes!

Biscoff Biscotti

Mom's aren't supposed to get sick.  It's a fact.  Kids can get sick and moms take care of them.  Dads get sick, the mom takes care of them too.  Even neighbors can get sick and moms help out with shopping or meals or a little treat to ease them on the road to recovery.  But moms?  They aren't supposed to get sick.

For the last 3 weeks, however, those sick "bugs" haven't been listening to my "moms don't get sick" mantra, and this mom has been sick.  Many thanks to those who left cold and flu remedies on our facebook page as well as for the well wishes that have come from all over the world.  My family has helped out as much as they could with laundry, dishes, etc.  But when it came to meals, my poor family has been stuck with Rubio's or the freezer.  Actually my 16-year old son has been happy as a clam with his frozen burrito bachelor life, and Liv has enjoyed sandwiches and salads from the deli next to the dance studio.  My husband luckily found himself on the road, away from all the germs and frozen foods, and I have been picking at whatever has been easy to put together.

Luckily, before the "sick bugs" took over, I had baked a batch of these Biscoff Biscotti based on our Nutella Amazing Race Biscotti.  After watching Biscoff recipe after Biscoff recipe churn through my Facebook Newsfeed, I once again seem to be on the tail end of a food craze.

Taking me a while to figure out that Biscoff Spread was indeed made up of those fabulous little cookies that the kind flight attendants on Delta pass out (they gave me extra on my last flight), I figured what could be better than cookies made of cookies??

Biscotti, with its long lasting shelf life and desirable crunchy bite, have long been a favorite of mine, and substituting Biscoff Spread for Nutella in our favorite biscotti version seemed a natural choice.  I found the dough to be irresistible, and the cookies baked up beautifully.

Not being able to wait until they cooled, my first bite of warm cookie brought a nice biscotti texture, but also a fairly bland cookie.  At first I was slightly disappointed and waited for the sliced and twice baked cookies to cool.  Upon second tasting, the texture brought the familiar fabulous biscotti crunch and crumb with only a hint of the original Biscoff flavor.  I did, however, find myself reaching for a second before turning away.  

Putting the cookies away for the night I brought them as a taste test for my carpool girls the next day, and received comments of, "MMm!  Just like a shortbread!", "Can I have more?" and "I give them an 8 out of 10!".  Asking what they thought of the flavor, all three girls said that the flavor was light, like shortbread, but that I was welcome to make them anytime.  Little Maggie from across the street, a certified Biscoff-aholic, claimed them to be "dreamy" and says she's going to be making her own.

I found these little guys grew on me as they "aged" a day or two and developed a taste reminiscent of those little Delta beauties, but that it was the texture that kept me returning.  Days later as my cold/flu raged on, I found the biscotti to be the perfect complement to a soothing cup of hot Green Tea or my morning cup of coffee (which my husband kindly prepared for me!).

Perfect a day or two after baking and with a long shelf life, these Biscoff Biscotti are somewhat bland, but bring a nice bite when in need of a little pick me up.  Ideal for those days when Mom is a little under the weather.

Amazing Race Nutella Biscotti

Being middle aged and not a tv watcher, I sometimes find myself a little out of touch.   As such, when rumor had it that Liv's dance choreographer had returned from a month-long adventure doing tv's Amazing Race, my mind immediately turned to food and dreams of exotic restaurants across the world.  Excited, I asked her, "So did you have any memorable meals??  What was your favorite?"

Obviously, I had never actually seen an episode of The Amazing Race, and Miss Abbie's comment of, "Well... we didn't really have time to enjoy any meals..." left me thinking, "Didn't she have time to eat??".

Yes, she did eat, but now that I have YouTubed two seasons of the reality show (can I mention here that I ❤  Mark and Bopper??), I have a better understanding of why she didn't have any memorable, in my way of thinking, meals.

For those of you out of the loop, The Amazing Race is a reality tv show which follows some 11 teams as they race around the world while facing some amazing physical as well as mental challenges.  Through a process of weekly eliminations, the final team wins the race.

According to a press release from CBS, "Teams will travel through three continents, nine countries and cover more than 25,000 miles, where they'll be faced with a 10-story rappel in Los Angeles, frying an egg on their heads in Indonesia, working as 'rat collectors' in Bangladesh and revisiting one of the Race's most infamous Roadblocks in the Netherlands in this season's Switchback."

Frying an egg on their heads in Indonesia??  Somehow that wasn't what I was thinking when I asked about memorable meals...

Meet Abbie & Ryan - Team Dark Green

A favorite choreographer of Liv's from her dance team, I'm eager to follow Abbie and her teammate, Ryan, on the show.  Following the rules of the show to a "T", Abbie has not given us a single clue as to how she fared in the competition, but if I had to make a guess, I'd put my money on her going pretty darn far, if not all the way.

Sample of Miss Abbie's choreography & costumes

A role model at Liv's dance studio, Abbie exemplifies talent, stamina, and a healthy competitive spirit. She challenges the girls to accomplish their best on a daily basis, not only in dance but in life in general.  And indeed, she often pulls that best out of them.

Remember "The Boots??".  Yep... she's the one that had me working all those hours painting, repainting and embellishing boots that she had turned into tap shoes for one of last year's numbers.  At the time, us dance moms were all asking, "What is she thinking???".  But then we saw the boots on stage, and we knew whatever she was thinking, it was awesome.

And speaking of awesome, our Nutella Biscotti is pretty darn awesome too.  Amazing, I might even say.

Originally made for a dance function last year, Miss Abbie was seen returning to the biscotti basket more than once (actually, I think it was something like 4 times...) along with the rest of the team members.  These Nutella Biscotti have become somewhat of a team tradition over the last year with numerous girls asking for the recipe as well as special birthday batches.

Nutella Biscotti is the perfect afternoon snack even if you are not running the Amazing Race...

As it seems Miss Abbie's memorable Amazing Race meals may include frying those eggs on her head, I'm thinking that if she had stashed a few of these beauties into her pockets as she navigated those foreign streets, she may have had at least a snack to remember fondly.

Tune in this Sunday, September 30, 2012 for the premier episode of Season 21 of The Amazing Race.  We'll be rooting for team dark green...

Go Abbie & Ryan!!

Abbie and Ryan, photo courtesy of The Amazing Race

Nutella Biscotti

Every once in a while one runs into a recipe that stays with you.  A recipe that can't be forgotten, a recipe that is returned to over and over, and then over again.

Two months ago when faced with the task of providing dessert for nearly 125 people, I put out a plea for help on our Liv Life Facebook Page.  What to make?  It had to be good, it had to be fairly easy, it had to be portable, and it had to make big batches so as to feed a lot of people and prepared in my limited time schedule.

My friend Laurie suggested biscotti, but I didn't have a recipe handy.  Kim, from Arizona, suggested cupcakes and even left a quick recipe to prepare.  Hester suggested a trifle, but as good as it sounded, I knew I couldn't make that work for this event (transport issues).  And lastly Becky suggested her Fight Back Brownies, which had Liv's vote, but time issues led me back to biscotti.  Shortly thereafter, Susi, of Susi's Kochen Und Backen Adventures, posted a link to her Nutella-Pistachio Biscotti and I knew this was IT.

Perfect for the large event in every way, I began making the biscotti days before they were needed.  Biscotti keeps wonderfully, and tasted even better a day or two after baking.  Portable?  Absolutely!  Simply placed into a zip top bag, these beauties moved beautifully from my house the the theater with very little to no damage and were easy to showcase in a pretty tissue lined basket.  Large Batches?  Again, absolutely.  With no less than 30 cookies (more if you cut them thinner) per batch, 5 batches did the trick for my 125 mark with extra to spare.

And last but not least, taste.  Were they good??  Good doesn't even begin to describe these irresistible treats.  Let me just say that people who don't eat carbs came back for 4ths and kids who don't eat biscotti have been asking me when I am going to make more.

Perfect for a bakesale, picnic, potluck or just plain breakfast, I've made these biscotti so many times since finding the recipe that I have the recipe memorized.  That's saying something.

Honey Pistachio Biscotti

 

My husband frequently laughs at me, but I could spend an entire afternoon flitting around our backyard shooting photos of flowers, better yet, macro shots of the stamens of said flowers or even the sharp ruffled edges of a rose petal.  While he has always been supportive of my photography "habit" we do seem to have a few creative differences.

 

Geranium

Some 30 years ago my Dad gave me my first SLR, a film Nikon that I still have and will never part with.  I've spent more money than I care to know on film and developing and pushed my husband years later to the cutting edge of the digital era in order to keep a roof over our heads.  Buying me a Sony digital camera shortly after our son was born  had the camera shortly paying for itself as I gave up my film habit and entered the digital world with thousands of those must have photos of my adorable toddler.

Surprising me years later with a gorgeous Canon DSLR, my husband sent me further into the realms of exposure and aperture and I invested in a few inexpensive lenses to play with.  Fast forward a few years more and he upgraded my DSLR once again to my current Canon.  But until today I've never really had really "good glass".

Spider Lily

The Amazon Delivery Guy was at my doorstep early, and with trembling hands I soon held my new 60mm f/2.8 Macro glass.  While this is admittedly only a mid-level lens, it's the best I've personally ever owned and I'm pretty darn excited.  Without delay the pups and I mounted the lens and headed outside to test shoot a few of our blooming flowers.  A quick review on the LCD screen had me giddy, but loading the shots onto the computer for a full scale intense review had me positively intoxicated with glee!!

As luck would have it, Ellie Krieger's Honey Pistachio Biscotti was on my afternoon docket and my new lens and I got to work.  With the ingredients mixing together quickly, the pistachio filled "logs" were ready for the oven in no time.  Within less than a quarter of an hour the kitchen was filled with the heavenly aroma that comes with baking biscotti and we were soon slicing the logs into individual cookies.  A second trip to the oven had the Italian-bred cookies crisped and ready for tasting.

Whole wheat flour lends a slightly nutty flavor to these not so sweet biscotti while the pistachios bring an antioxidant punch that eased my guilt as I reached for thirds.  I can personally vouch that these crunchy little guys pair wonderfully with a glass of red wine.  Tomorrow I will do a taste test to check on their pairing with my morning coffee, though I can say without a doubt that the pairing will be just fine...

 

 

Lemon Biscotti and Limoncello for Becky's Online Bake Sale

I'm having trouble getting past lemons this season!!  With another bucket of Dad's lemons on our doorstep I'm still searching for uses for the tart zests and juices.  While we have had Lemon Chicken, Lemon Muffins, Lemon Bread, Hummus with Lemon and Lemon Limoncello Cheesecake with our own homemade Limoncello we are still on the search for new and exciting lemon recipes to try (Feel free to link to some below if you have a suggestion!).

When Becky, of Baking and Cooking, a Tale of Two Loves, approached us about her online Bake Sale to benefit the American Cancer Society on May 2nd, lemon was obviously our first thought.  Putting some of our homemade Limoncello along with a bag of Lemon Limoncello Biscotti together I think we have a winner!

The highest bidder will receive a Limoncello Bottle with 200 ml of Limoncello made from lemons from my dad's tree along with a bag of our favorite Lemon Limoncello Biscotti, we'll also throw in a few of our favorite lemon/limoncello recipes!  Info on Becky's Bake Sale can be found on her site with bidding starting on May 2nd.  Becky is a 15 year melanoma survivor and is participating as Team Captain for The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in her county.  She is making a difference and you can too!

Using our own Limoncello, the Lemon Limoncello Biscotti receives a second dose of lemon from a helping of zest bringing even more of a lemon flavor to the table.  Somewhat delicate in taste, these cookies are ideal with an evening tea or prefect with your morning coffee.  I can also personally attest that they just may curb any afternoon snack craving you may be experiencing.

Bid on our package on May 2nd and we'll be happy to get a box in the mail to you quickly!  If Lemon is not your thing, be sure to visit Becky's site and check out the other bakers that she has on board.  I'm sure you will find some of your favorite bloggers in the midst with offerings that will help make a difference.

Coconut Biscotti

Swaying palms, soft air, warm turquoise waters... ahh... this is my happy place.  I go there on occasion when things get just a little too crazy around here.  I just close my eyes, take a few deep breaths and for a few glorious moments I am sitting on a white sand beach wriggling my toes in the warm, soft sand.

6 months ago, I went there with my husband... in real life!  Our household had been a bit hectic (that comment is actually the worlds largest understatement!) and Mommy was close to "the edge".  5 days before our departure my amazing husband suggested a trip to the South Pacific for a 12 day cruise including 6 different islands on a small ship sailing out of Papeete, Tahiti.  I looked at him like he was crazy... as if I could get all my duties covered, pack my bags, throw a Super Bowl party for 50 and get out of here in 5 day.  Well, thanks to my mom and a small village of wonderful girlfriends, we did it!!  And I'm here to attest that I had the much needed, well deserved, and fully enjoyed, tropical vacation of a lifetime.  (You can actually read my review and see pics on Cruise Critic here). 

Brilliant, warm turquoise waters combined with soaring majestic peaks.  Lush emerald vegetation met up with  dazzling blue skies filled with pillows of white clouds.  And there I was, sailing through it all.  For twelve gorgeous days we sailed the South Pacific with our fellow guests, getting to know many of them during our travels.  We particularly enjoyed a couple we met at the airport on our departure from LAX who hail from Palm Desert, just a few hours from us.  

Bob and Susie truly exemplify what Liv Life stands for... they genuinely live everyday and have gleaned more from life than many of us ever will.  Dinners on our voyage were filled with stories from before we were born taking us to distant lands, romantic ski trips and lives that are full and memorable. 

Yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting Bob and Susie again and in honor of our recent tropical voyage I brought some of my favorite Coconut Biscotti.  This crisp cookie, adapted from Cooking Light, is enhanced with a teaspoon of coconut oil and a dash of nutmeg.  The flaked coconut adds a touch of texture  and gives a wonderful, light coconut flavor - reminiscent of the South Pacific.

So kick off your shoes, close your eyes and come with me to Bora Bora!  With our Coconut Biscotti in hand we can all enjoy a moment of blissful peace in the midst of our busy, overfilled, hectic lives and enjoy a touch of tropical balance for the rest of the day.

Coconut Biscotti

adapted from Cooking Light

¾  teaspoon  baking powder

¼  teaspoon  salt

¼  teaspoon  baking soda

⅛  teaspoon  grated whole nutmeg

¾  cup  sugar

1  teaspoon  vanilla extract

1 tsp coconut extract

2  large eggs

1  cup  flaked sweetened coconut

1 ½  cups  all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 300°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife.  Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through nutmeg) in a small bowl and whisk to combine.  Place sugar, vanilla, coconut extract and eggs in a large bowl;  beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until thick.  Add flour mixture and flaked coconut, stirring to combine (dough will be very sticky).   Turn the dough out onto a heavily floured surface and knead lightly 7 or 8 times.  Shape the dough into a 15 x 3-inch log and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone liner.  Pat the log to 1-inch thickness and bake at 300° for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack.

Move roll to a cutting board and cut diagonally into 20 (1/2-inch-thick) slices.  Return the slices to the baking sheet, standing them upright (not on either side as this allows both sides to be baked at the same time and does not require turning half way through baking).  Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake 20 minutes - note that the cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool.  Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and cool completely on wire rack.