Creative Culinary

Food and Cocktail Recipes l Denver, CO

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beans and Lentils
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Cookies, Brownies and Bars
    • Meat and Fish
      • Beef
      • Chicken and Turkey
      • Lamb
      • Pork
      • Fish, Seafood
    • Pasta, Potatoes, Rice & Grains
    • Pizza
    • Pressure Cooker Favorites
    • Salads, Dressings, Marinades, Sauces
    • Sandwiches
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetables
  • Friday Cocktails
    • Cocktail News
    • Bourbon
    • Champagne, Prosecco, Cava
    • Cognac
    • Gin
    • Liqueurs
    • Mocktails
    • Rum
    • Scotch
    • Tequila
    • Vodka
  • About
    • Tips for High Altitude Baking
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Food Blogs in Colorado
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beans and Lentils
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Cookies, Brownies and Bars
    • Meat and Fish
      • Beef
      • Chicken and Turkey
      • Lamb
      • Pork
      • Fish, Seafood
    • Pasta, Potatoes, Rice & Grains
    • Pizza
    • Pressure Cooker Favorites
    • Salads, Dressings, Marinades, Sauces
    • Sandwiches
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetables
  • Friday Cocktails
    • Cocktail News
    • Bourbon
    • Champagne, Prosecco, Cava
    • Cognac
    • Gin
    • Liqueurs
    • Mocktails
    • Rum
    • Scotch
    • Tequila
    • Vodka
  • About
    • Tips for High Altitude Baking
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Food Blogs in Colorado
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Contact
 
You are here: Home / All Recipes / Cranberry Almond Chocolate Biscotti

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Biscotti

December 10, 2012 22 Comments

I make all of the gifts I give to friends and family each year, well, except for the gifts I give to my children. I’m sure they would be verklempt if I gave them a gift basket of cookies, caramel, mustard and liqueur…after all they can have that stuff anytime so it’s nothing special. This past weekend I decided to make some holiday gifts for the kids in my life. My kids are grown and it’s been a long time since I was a room mother and did things like this all the time but I’m hoping I haven’t lost the touch completely and that they’ll enjoy the decorated biscotti done just for them.

I’m hoping to catch my neighbor Sally’s grand-daughter Skylar who seems to have gone from a baby to a young lady overnight and who I made the Christmas tree biscotti for and packaged in this cute bag. I missed Skylar over Halloween; hope this makes up for that!

For Aaron, the 16 year old boy down the street who I’ve known since he was old enough to walk up to my door and sell me something to support his elementary school (I do believe I still have some of the rolls of wrapping paper I’ve purchased over those many years). Aaron’s family is Jewish but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like homemade holiday goodies and I did my best to make some with Hanukkah colors just for him.

When my friend Ansh comes to visit this week she’s bringing her young daughter who I’ve wanted to meet for some time. Ansh is Indian and makes the most amazing food…albeit SPICY so I thought something about the orange conveyed a bit of heat (although they were actually my favorite – orange and chocolate M&M’s? YES!) but also a lot of sweet; just like Ansh.


Serves 1

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Biscotti Dipped in Dove Chocolate

20 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

  • Cranberry-Almond Chocolate Biscotti
  • Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 8 ounces of Dove Promises Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate
  • 1 Small package M&M Chocolate Candie

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third.
  2. LIne 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
  4. Whisk eggs and vanilla together in medium bowl. Beat egg mixture,then melted butter into dry mixture. Stir in cranberries and almonds.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, pour out dough and cut into two equal pieces. Shape each into 8 inch long log.
  6. Place on baking sheets, spacing well apart. Bake logs for 12 minutes. Reverse position of
  7. baking sheets. bake logs until firm and dry to touch, about 12 more minutes.
  8. Remove from oven. Let cool on sheets for 10 minutes.
  9. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
  10. Using a knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  11. Remove parchment paper from baking sheets. Return slices to baking sheets, cut side down. Bake biscotti until dry and slightly darker, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
  12. Melt dark chocolate. Using a knife, paint half of the biscotti with the chocolate, decorate as desired with M&M's or glitter.
7.8.1.2
4875
https://creative-culinary.com/cranberry-almond-chocolate-biscotti/
Creative Culinary

I’ll be honest. This is a sponsored post that I took on as a challenge for a couple of reasons. One because it included biscotti and I had never made them. Secondly because the requirement that we use Dove Chocolates to dip the biscotti in was good with me. Not only do I personally love them but my daughter mentioned to me that America’s Test Kitchen has recently chosen Dove Chocolates as some of the best. They were perfect to work with. I made something last week that required melted chocolate and twice it seized on me, the first time when trying to melt it in the microwave and again in a 2nd attempt using a double boiler. The Dove Chocolates melted easily in the microwave and even as the chocolate cooled a bit, was easily warmed and melted again.

As it turns out, we weren’t required to make our own biscotti for this post and I could have just purchased some from the store. Ahem…how boring is that!!?? I put a call out to some friends for recipes and a friend on Twitter, Sarah James provided me with a recipe that sounded perfect; a chocolate biscotti with cranberries and almonds. My plan was to dip the biscotti in more chocolate and them make them kid friendly by decorating them with M&M’s. I have to tell you…M&M’s never seemed so huge until you are trying to use them to make a decoration on a biscotti! Next time? I need more landscape or much smaller M&M’s!

I hope Aaron, Skylar and Ansh’ daughter enjoys these holiday treats; I truly enjoyed making them!

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Biscotti Dipped in Dove Chocolate
Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

  • Cranberry-Almond Chocolate Biscotti
  • Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 8 ounces of Dove Promises Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate
  • 1 Small package M&M Chocolate Candie

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third.
  2. LIne 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
  4. Whisk eggs and vanilla together in medium bowl. Beat egg mixture,then melted butter into dry mixture. Stir in cranberries and almonds.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, pour out dough and cut into two equal pieces. Shape each into 8 inch long log.
  6. Place on baking sheets, spacing well apart. Bake logs for 12 minutes. Reverse position of
  7. baking sheets. bake logs until firm and dry to touch, about 12 more minutes.
  8. Remove from oven. Let cool on sheets for 10 minutes.
  9. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.
  10. Using a knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  11. Remove parchment paper from baking sheets. Return slices to baking sheets, cut side down. Bake biscotti until dry and slightly darker, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.
  12. Melt dark chocolate. Using a knife, paint half of the biscotti with the chocolate, decorate as desired with M&M's or glitter.
7.8.1.2
5826
https://creative-culinary.com/cranberry-almond-chocolate-biscotti/
Creative Culinary

 

 

Click to sweeten the holidays with Silky Smooth Dove Chocolate.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Mars via Glam Media.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Mars.


« The Best Hot Buttered Rum
Whole Wheat & Honey English Muffin Bread »

Comments

  1. john@kitchenriffs says

    December 12, 2012 at 9:59 am

    I almost never make biscotti - something I definitely need to do more. And kicking it up with the chocolate is a great idea! Good stuff - thanks.
    Reply
  2. Kristina says

    December 11, 2012 at 11:11 am

    as usual, Barb - you go above and beyond - I love that you made your own biscotti, and I would have expected nothing less! these look and sound wonderful, I especially love the orange M&Ms!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm

      I love the orange M&M's too...they were actually a holiday flavor; showing an orange stuffed in a stocking but they mostly reminded me of that ball orange thing that separates into pieces...but in either event, the orange flavoring with the chocolate was the best.
      Reply
  3. Sarah James says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:27 am

    These look amazing! My Grandma would be proud :) xo
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 11, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Have given out two packages so far; the kids have loved them! Thanks so much Sarah...now for me? Can't wait to try them with white chocolate!
      Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:52 pm

      The kids LOVED them...seriously could not have done it without you! Thanks a bunch Sarah.
      Reply
  4. Holly says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I haven't gotten around to making biscotti yet this December but it's on my list. I love giving it as hostess gifts with a nice bag of coffee beans or ground coffee. Add a Starbucks gift card and it is a nice gift for teachers too. I am sure you've made your special friends really happy with this thoughtful surprise!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:52 pm

      I have no idea why I've not done them before. Minus the decorations of sparkling sugar and M&M's they were a piece of cake...I mean biscotti!
      Reply
  5. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Beautiful biscotti, what a festive holiday gift!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks Laura...now to make some adult ones. IE minus the M&M's and maybe with a touch of booze? :)
      Reply
  6. Skye says

    December 10, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    This is an absolutely perfect gift for young folks, and your decorations on the biscotti are wonderful! They will love the biscotti and your thoughtfulness.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:50 pm

      Thanks Skye; it's been a while since I made something decorated for younger kids but they were fun to do and the kids loved them. Whew! :)
      Reply
  7. Ansh says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Shloka is going to be one happy girl!! Thank you so much! hugs
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:48 pm

      I can't wait to meet her; so looking forward to it. PS...she got the best chocolates; I just LOVE the orange flavored M&M's.
      Reply
  8. Karen Harris says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Well these are just gorgeous little gifts! There are going to be some happy kiddos in your life this Christmas.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:48 pm

      Let's just say you helped; deciding to go kid specific sure helped with the process; it was mostly just thinking of the kids who I wanted to give them to! Thanks...a bunch!
      Reply
  9. Paula says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Beautiful biscotti and gift presentations. How lovely for each of your recipients. They are going to love them.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:47 pm

      I hope so...two already gone and the third being gifted Sunday when a friend comes over. I worried about the M&M's being dorky; the kids loved them. :)
      Reply
  10. Wendy Read says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:03 am

    These are just gorgeous Barb! Lucky, Lucky neighbors you have. I too and am fan a Dove Chocolates, didn't realize you could use them without tempering and all of that, great to know :) Lovely post--I have a pan just for making biscotti and this recipe has my name all over it!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks Wendy...I had my moments of doubt but it all came together nicely in the end. You have a biscotti pan? I want one! :)
      Reply
  11. Jamie says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:56 am

    My mom buys dove chocolate and I steal them every time I visit :-) And I have to try these biscotti! I love putting dried cranberries and almonds and chocolate chips in my biscotti but haven't done it with chocolate biscotti... and then dipping in chocolate? And the m & m's? Those lucky kids are going to love them! I would love any of your homemade gifts! I think what you make is fabulous and so much more meaningful than buying something...
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      I have always loved Dove chocolate too; so this was a no brainer; seriously easy than some other made for baking chocolates I've used lately; go figure huh?
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

SUBSCRIBE and NEVER MISS A RECIPE!


Recipes by Category

Recipes by Month

Amazon Disclosure

Creative Culinary is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com .

About Me

I’m Barbara Kiebel, the cook, photographer, author, and everyday eater at Creative Culinary. I hope you enjoy the recipes I prepare for family and friends and appreciate every one of you that come visit my virtual home! Read More…

About – Privacy Policy – Terms of Use – Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 Creative Culinary

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
MENU
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beans and Lentils
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Cookies, Brownies and Bars
    • Meat and Fish
      • Beef
      • Chicken and Turkey
      • Lamb
      • Pork
      • Fish, Seafood
    • Pasta, Potatoes, Rice & Grains
    • Pizza
    • Pressure Cooker Favorites
    • Salads, Dressings, Marinades, Sauces
    • Sandwiches
    • Soups and Stews
    • Vegetables
  • Friday Cocktails
    • Cocktail News
    • Bourbon
    • Champagne, Prosecco, Cava
    • Cognac
    • Gin
    • Liqueurs
    • Mocktails
    • Rum
    • Scotch
    • Tequila
    • Vodka
  • About
    • Tips for High Altitude Baking
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Food Blogs in Colorado
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Contact