Chocolate Cashew Biscotti

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with biscotti. I love the idea of being posh and dipping something in your coffee and tea, yet I hate when things take on a mushy texture when they aren’t meant to have one by default. I love the idea of a cookie that’s not as sweet as a traditional one, but I hate the rock hard, crunchy texture. Seriously, biscotti and I can’t see eye-to-eye most of the time, but I still had them on the mind. I think had still been craving it for a few months. I’ve been perusing recipes, figuring out my ideal concoction.

Then, after gorging on a hearty brisket sandwich and asparagus and tomato salad, I came home and made some.

Because when I’m bored, I make things regardless of how hungry I am.

And then I eat three of them because I can.

It was glorious since these don’t bake up as crispy-crunchy as traditional biscotti. I’m sure they could if you baked them more, but I went with chewy. That’s my choice. You can make yours. Oh the power.

Inspiration: Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup + 1 heaping tablespoon all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup cashew pieces
• 2 tablespoons applesauce
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 egg

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with a Silpat [or parchment].
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and cashews.
3. In the bowl of a mixer, mix the applesauce and sugar until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Add the egg and mix.
5. With the mixer on low, add in the dry ingredients.
6. When a soft dough forms, wet your hands and remove it from the bowl.
7. Shape the dough into a small loaf about 8″ long and 1 1/2″ wide on the baking pan.
8. Bake the dough for 20 minutes.
9. Remove it and use a serrated knife to cut the dough in a diagonal. Mine yielded about 9 pieces with a few tiny stragglers that I gladly ate. It’s for the good of the cause.
10. Place the slices face up on the baking sheet.
11. Bake for 3-4 minutes [or more for crunchier biscotti] on each side.
12. Allow to cool before you shovel them in your mouth.