Aged Gouda Biscotti With Walnuts Recipes

GOUDA BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine yeast with 1/2 c warm water. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add sugar and 3/4 c flour. Stir well and let stand until very foamy, about 30 minutes.
• In bowl of a stand mixer, combine remaining 2 c flour with shredded cheese, nuts and salt. With paddle attachment, add sponge from first step along with remaining 6 tbsp water and the butter. Work until a dough is formed. Change to dough hook and knead until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat. Divide dough into 3 pieces, forming each into a log about 12" long and 3" wide. Place logs on baking sheet about 2" apart. Cover with lightly damp paper towel, then with plastic wrap. Let stand 45 min until risen.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F Remove the plastic wrap and paper towel, and dust logs with Parmesan cheese. Bake about 35 min, until golden, puffed, and interior temperature is 205°F Let cool on baking sheet for 20 minutes.
• Lower oven temp to 300°F Position 2 racks in lower third and upper third of oven. Transfer logs to cutting board; cut on the bias into 2/3" slices with a serrated knife. Place slices, cut side up, on 2 baking sheets. Bake 45-60 min until golden and crisp. Turn biscotti over halfway through; at the same time, swap sheets upper for lower, and rotate each sheet 180°. When done, transfer to a rack to cool.

AGED GOUDA BISCOTTI WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, combine the yeast with 1/2 cup of the warm water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and 3/4 cup of the flour to form a sponge; cover and let stand until billowy, about 30 minutes. 2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups of flour with the Gouda, walnuts and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water; add the butter and stir until a dough is formed. 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes; divide into thirds. Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch log about 1 1/2 inches thick. Arrange the logs on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Loosely cover with lightly moistened paper towels and plastic wrap. Let stand for about 45 minutes, until risen. 4. Preheat the oven to 350°. Remove the plastic wrap and paper towels and bake the logs for about 35 minutes, until they are golden and puffed and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 205°. Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes. 5. Reduce the oven temperature to 300° and position 2 racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven. Transfer the logs to a work surface. Using a serrated knife, slice the logs crosswise 1/3 inch thick. Arrange the slices cut side up on 2 baking sheets and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until golden and crisp; flip the biscotti halfway through and shift the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and let cool completely before serving.

AGED GOUDA BISCOTTI WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the yeast with 1/2 cup of the warm water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and 3/4 cup of the flour to form a sponge; cover and let stand until billowy, about 30 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups of flour with the Gouda, walnuts and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water; add the butter and stir until a dough is formed. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes; divide into thirds. Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch log about 1 1/2 inches thick. Arrange the logs on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Loosely cover with lightly moistened paper towels and plastic wrap. Let stand for about 45 minutes, until risen. Preheat the oven to 350°. Remove the plastic wrap and paper towels and bake the logs for about 35 minutes, until they are golden and puffed and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 205°. Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300° and position 2 racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven. Transfer the logs to a work surface. Using a serrated knife, slice the logs crosswise 1/3; inch thick. Arrange the slices cut side up on 2 baking sheets and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until golden and crisp; flip the biscotti halfway through and shift the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and let cool completely before serving.

ANISE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F ( 190 degrees C ).
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar Gradually add the vanilla and eggs while mixing. Sift together the flour and baking powder; stir into the egg mixture. For plain biscotti, do not add anything else (see Cook's Note). Stir in the anise extract and anise seed. Add walnuts if desired.
• Wet or grease your hands and shape dough out into 4 logs as long as your baking sheet will allow. Pat each one to about 3/4 inch in height, and 3 inches wide. Brush with beaten egg yolks.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Slice logs at an angle, cutting pieces into 1/2 to 3/4-inch wide cookies. Place slices back onto the cookie sheet, standing upright, if possible; leave a gap between the slices. Return to the oven and bake until cookies are dry and lightly toasted, about 10 minutes more.

CHOCOLATE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (waxed paper will not work, it will smoke.).
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the chocolate and sugar and grind until the chocolate is very fine. Set aside.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl combine the eggs and the vanilla. Beat at medium speed to blend.
• Reduce the speed to low, add the chocolate and flour mixtures and mix until a stiff dough forms, adding the walnuts when about half mixed.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gather it together. Divide in half. Form each half into a log 12 inches long. (Give the logs plenty of space on both sides as the width of the logs doubles during baking.).
• Carefully transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
• Pat to even up the shapes. Bake until almost firm to the touch, about 50 minutes. (I have found that 40 minutes was sufficient).
• Let cool for 10 minutes. (Do not let it cool for longer as the logs will become brittle and more difficult to slice without breaking.).
• Leave the oven set at 300°F.
• Using a spatula, transfer the logs to a work surface. Using a serrated knife, cut on the diagonal into slices 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Return the slices cut side down to the baking sheet.
• Bake for 25 minutes. (I baked mine 15 minutes and the biscotti were very crispy).
• Turn the slices over and bake until crispy and dry, about 25 minutes longer. (Again, I found 15 minutes to be good).
• Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.