photo credit: offbeat + inspired
I can still remember the first time I ordered biscotti.
I was trying to impress my boyfriend who was about to be my husband.
We were on a date and I was wearing a headband with my name painted on it and two layers of extra red lipstick.
And my headband and I stood awkwardly in front of a giant chalkboard with rows and rows of fancy writing…..full of words like cappuccino and espresso and honey roasted and macchiato and mocha latte and sighed…..
….because the only word I really wanted to see was diet coke. 🙂
photo credit: offbeat + inspired
He was so proud of his coffee shop.
It was a little hole in the wall that used to be a movie theater in its glory days….with its high windows and vintage floors and brass fixtures.
This was his place….his coffee place….
…..where everybody knew his name.
His place….where he navigated that dusty chalkboard menu and the overly energetic coffee personnel with ease and confidently ordered his regular….
…..a double mocha latte with extra cream.
photo credit: offbeat + inspired
I ordered coffee….just coffee.
Coffee I knew.
Coffee…..I understood.
After all….in college I had made it through any class with the word “math” in it….
….totally inspired by coffee.
photo credit: offbeat + inspired
They handed me a cup….and then……clutching my steaming mug of courage in my hands….I stood in front of the bakery case and confidently pointed and said
…..“I’ll have one of those.”
*sigh*
Seriously.
It was delicious.
It was crunchy and not too sweet and like a cookie and a biscuit all rolled into one and when I boldly dipped it into the coffee it transformed into a little slice of heaven.
I’m not sure if it was the cream or the coffee or the vintage movie theater turned into coffee shop or the fact that I felt so grown-up and independent with my brilliant choice of bakery goods….or the pair of sparkling brown eyes that twinkled at me over a double mocha latte with extra cream….
….but I’ve been in love with biscotti ever since. 🙂
photo credit: offbeat + inspired
My wonderful-incredibly-talented-one-step-away-from-her-own-network-show friend Tiffany
is back with another incredible recipe and her take on biscotti:
Lemon Almond Biscotti
“Biscotti is probably the easiest thing I’ve ever baked. The ingredients are so few, so simple, and biscotti dough isn’t finicky at all. You get to throw your ingredients into a bowl, mix up a delicious dough, pat it out, press in some chopped almonds and you’re ready for the oven. Biscotti is such a classic partner for tea and coffee. I love the traditional almond flavor, but you can use any extracts or toppings you prefer! Chocolate lovers, try mixing in some cocoa powder and chocolate chips, or even give these Lemon Almond Biscotti biscuits a dip in some semi-sweet chocolate once they’ve cooled. I’m big on versatile recipes like this — especially when the most basic version is this easy and this good. Enjoy!”
~Tiffany
photo credit: offbeat + inspired
Lemon Almond Biscotti
Ingredients:
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tbsp. almond extract
1/2 tbsp. lemon extract
3 1/4 cups flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 cup raw almonds, very coarsely chopped
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, sugar and extracts until well blended.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder until combined, then add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until a dough forms.
Move your ball of dough to a parchment-lined cookie sheet, roll it into a long log and pat it down so that it’s 1/2″ to 1″ thick in the middle, then pat the edges so they taper down.
Sprinkle almonds over the dough and press them in so that they stay put.
Bake the biscotti loaf for about 30 minutes, until the bottom edges are a light golden brown.
Move the loaf to a wire rack and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
Slice into 1″ wide biscuits (I use a serrated bread knife to minimize crumbling) and move them back to the cookie sheet, cut sides down. Bake for 5-6 minutes, then flip the biscuits over and bake the other sides for another 5-6 minutes. At this point, they should be lightly toasted on each side and fully baked through. Cool and enjoy!!
The biscuits will keep for a while, but to keep them fresh longer, store them in a sealed container.
You might also like:
Cappuccino Biscotti https://offbeatandinspired.com/2013/04/26/cappuccino-biscotti/
Buttery Vanilla Breakfast Scones: https://offbeatandinspired.com/2012/10/13/buttery-vanilla-breakfast-scones/
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How cute and funny! :D This was so romantic! Now that was just wrong, I had forgotten all about my Diet Coke and would have had water and now, now I am going to guzzle some down. hehehe ;)
Oh Miss Karianne...I think this post is a trifecta! Precious story...includes COFFEE and has the most delicious...gorgeous...scrumptious...delectable recipe for Lemon Almond Biscotti ...I thought I had tried all of the biscotti in the world...but this flavor combo wasn't included and I can't wait to make these...in fact I just might pre-heat the oven in just a little bit! The presentations of these crunchy little delicacies is amazing...I applaud Tiffany...simply brilliant all the way around! Thank you for the morning smile...thank you Tiffany for the brilliant recipe and presentation and probably a few more calories than I planned on today : ) Toasting you both with my black cup of coffee...even though now seeing the French Pressed Coffee...my Kuerig just doesn't seem to be cutting it! lol!!!! hugs to you both!
Those are our very favorite things to make at Christmas. We have a variety of about 15 types and we give them away as gifts. Tell Tiffany thank you and I will try her version. We have one that is called Pina Colada with pineapple and coconut. It is so goooood!! I love your story. Twinkling brown eyes must be very special and very smart to have captured the heart of the fair maiden KariAnne :-)
KariAnnne, life is good. Your very own sweetheart, a good cup of coffee or Diet Coke, a friend that bakes heavenly biscotti and sweet memories. What more could a girl want?! I love biscotti. Have you baked some yet? You are going to need a lot if we all show up at the same time.
Wow, a husband that actually chooses to go to a coffee house. I'm impressed. I talked my husband into going to a tea room during our honeymoon in Bermuda but I'm afraid that's the last time he's ever done anything like that. But ... one of my weekly highlights is going out for a Tuesday Special 94 cent latte (more if you add syrup!). Around here it's a girly thing to do.
A KariAnne story and a Tiffany recipe and photography….a match made in HEAVEN!! As perfect as biscotti and coffee. :) Love you two girls to the moon and back! Heather
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your special day and may you truly be a princess for a day. I just think this might be the perfect recipe to try out my brand new gas oven. Thanks for the suggestion and I love you. You are a rock star!!
Awe how sweet! I am diet coke or sweet tea through and through girl, but I can totally see how twinkling brown eyes could make coffee sound good!
Biscotti is one of my specialties but I have never had (or thought of) lemon!! Definitely trying this. ~Cheryl https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/
I just love your stories--I look forward to them. You should collect them into a book. :)
Kerianne, your little comment "energetic staff" is just right....I mean, what besides that COULD they be after a generous sampling of their own brewskis? I must say, my discovery of biscotti was not so romantic as yours, but I dearly love them with my late morning coffee. I've collected a few recipes and will be trying Tiffany's quite soon. The pictures are up to your high standards, plus I love the vintage white 24" gas range. It reminds me of my genuine stainless steel 24" Bertazzoni jewel, another gift to the world from Italy.
I love biscotti!!! It's the perfect treat to nibble with a cup of coffee or tea! I can't wait to try this lemon version!! Thanks for sharing KariAnne and Tiffany!!
First the "Aw . . .!" and then the "YUM!" It's so much fun to look back on those days of thinking we're so grown-up, learning about new and wonderful things - like biscotti - and falling in love! I'm pretty sure MY love would enjoy some biscotti! ;)
When I read your posts they inevitably bring back long forgotten memories of my own life. Oh so many years ago. What may have seemed like just another day is remembered with a longing to go back to that place in time. Thank you.
Great story and I love Biscotti's. I am going to make some in fact I wish I had a couple right now to finish off my last cup of Starbucks and get the day going. Thanks so much. Have a terrific weekend. Mary
Great recipe...great photos...great story...A perfect trifecta!
I'M Smiling, great story. I Make these too. Everyone seems to like these. Make mine with Butter,but will try to make them with oil. Wrote down the receipe.
Is it you birthday? If so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I remember some of those awkward restaurant dating stories. I had gone to an Italian Restaurant with a nice guy I was dating, I think we were twenty at the time. Anyway, after I had ordered, my date told the waiter in a very confident way, that he would like to have "the Somevakki." The waiter had a very puzzled look on his face and had my date point it out on the menu. I could tell that the waiter was trying really hard to keep a straight face as he explained to my date that it was pronounced, Someofeachie, as is Some of each, a little lasagna, a little chicken parmesan, a meatball, etc. My poor date turned so red from embarrassment, poor guy. We didn't end up staying together (not because of that incident), but we both still live in the same hometown. I saw him in Lowe's last year, and couldn't resist walking up behind him, before he noticed me and saying, "I'll have the Somevakki". He started laughing before he even turned around...good thing he has a sense of humor! Those biscotti look delicious! Thank you for telling us about, Offbeat + Inspired, I enjoy their blog so much!
Well, I know what I'll be baking this weekend! I love your story of trying biscotti for the first time. I believe I was a kid, playing with my friend. Our moms must have been having coffee and biscotti or something, because I vaguely remember the other mom offering it to me. Biscotti lover ever since!
These sound delish! I can easily adjust the sugar amount for us and I also love very forgiving dough recipes. Thanks for sharing.
I just love Biscotti..I have it for breakfast every morning..I should make my own...:)
I haven't made biscotti in years, but will try your recipe. Thanks!
I love biscotti, but I've never made it. I have several recipes for it, but for some reason have felt intimidated by it. I can make scones so I'm not sure why I don't try. Your beautiful photos make me want to give it a try! So inspiring!
I am so wishing I had some lemon extract, cause I would make them after I bake and eat my pizza. I am wondering now, if I can find that Cranberry Walnut one I had....... been so long that I doubt it. Do you think I could use lemon juice (Realemon) would work? I have the Almond Extract and Almonds.. Thanks very much for the recipe... it sounds easier than the one I had, if I remember.
I love biscotti (and baking it). Maybe it's in my blood (Italian). ;-) I even have a little biscotti cookbook that has become treasured in the kitchen. Can't wait to try this recipe. :-)
Tried the biscotti recipe today. Sadly disappointed. They were super, super dry and the texture too flaky. Will turn to mush when dipped in any liquid.