Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Biscotti are twice-baked cookies, often filled with almonds. This particular recipe involves the addition of dried cranberries and dark chocolate, making for an extra tasty, and somewhat healthy, treat.

Prep Time: 15 minutes, cook time: 40 minutes

Yield: 24 pieces

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 4 tablespoons butter (cold, cut in to cubes)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

This recipe will require a stand mixer, hand mixer or food processor, a cookie sheet with parchment paper, food brush, and other everyday kitchen tools.

1. Preheat the oven to 350º.
2. Place the cranberries in to a small bowl of warm water.
3. In a mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix on low just long enough to combine the ingredients.
4. Add the butter and vanilla and almond extracts, continue to mix until the combined mixture begins to resemble cornmeal.
5. Add the eggs (save 2 tablespoons), drained cranberries and almonds and continue to mix until the dough is moistened and all ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Divide the dough in to 2 pieces and press in to cookie sheet as logs, leaving about 2 inches of space around each. Use a small amount of flour on your hands if the dough is too wet.
7. Brush the remainder of the eggs on top of the dough.
8. Bake for 25 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly – cool enough to be transferred to a cutting board.
9. Cut diagonal pieces, roughly 1” thick.
10. Arrange pieces on  the cookie sheet, on their sides and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the edges become golden brown.
11. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Need to add a little something extra? Dip one side of each piece in some dark chocolate.

Ok, now an explanation for why I said they are somewhat healthy. You aren’t going to lose any weight gorging on these, but they do happen to contain a couple of ingredients that have several health benefits.

Chocolate is made from plants, which means that it contains the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging and damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants, and the flavonoids help lower blood pressure and balance certain hormones in the body.

Cranberries contain Vitamin C and are an excellent source of fiber. The juice contains an antibacterial agent, along with other compounds, that reduce the ability of E. coli bacteria to stick to the walls of the urinary tract. Quinic acid, also found in cranberries, helps prevent kidney stones. Cranberries have the ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising the level of good cholesterol (HDL). This has been attributed to a high level of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant found in the fruit. Much like the antioxidants found in chocolate, these help improve the function of blood vessels and aid in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Cranberry almond biscotti. Tasty and justifiably good for you.