Cookies:
3/4 c old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c unbleached AP flour
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 c packed dark brown sugar
1/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3/4 c roughly grated carrots (abou 1 1/2 medium carrots)
1/3 c raisins
Filling:
3 oz cream cheese at room temperature
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp granulated sugar
Pinch of kosher salt
Using ground oats and AP flour, instead of just flour alone, is the secret to the rich flavor of these whoopie pie-like cookies.
Preheat oven to 350. Line two bakin sheets with parchment paper
Grind the oats in a food processor to make a fine flour. IN a medium bowl, whisk together the oat flour, AP flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beatthe butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed until well combined. Add the egg and beat to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the dry ingredients in two additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each one. Add the carrots and raisins, mixing just to combine. The dough will be very stick.
Chill the dough for 30 mins. Drop 1 Tbsp mounds of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1-2" apart. Bake, rotating the sheets once halfway through until the cookies are golden brown and spring back when gently touched in the center, about 12 minutes. Cool the cookies completely before filling.
To make the filling, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter, lemon zest, sugar, and salt on medium speed until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed (the filling can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let it come to room temperature before using.)
Using a small spatula, spread 1 tsp of the filling over the flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich the remaining cookies, flat sides together.
The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes:
- Chill dough before scooping, which will make it less runny.
- Space out the cookies when baking as they have a tendency to spread!! (Like Andy's cookies)
These biscotti can be kept in an airtight container for up to three weeks. (Half recipe--makes plenty!)
3/8 c pecans, roughly chopped
.5 c old-fashioned rolled oats
7/8 c unbleached AP flour, plus more for rolling
3/8 c dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 large egg
1/8 c dark molasses, such as Grandma's
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
3/8 c raisins
This dough is very sticky, so use ample flour on your work surface and hands when rolling it out.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the nuts in a single layer on a second baking sheet. Toast them in the oven, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool the sheet on a wire rack. Keep the oven on.
In a food processor or blender, grind 1/4 c of the oats to make a fine flour. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the oat flour, remaining oats, AP flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat on low speed until the ingredients are well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, molasses, vanilla, and oil. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until combined. Mix in the cooled nuts and raisins, just to combine.
Turn out the dough onto a generously floured work surface and shape each portion into a 16 x 2-inch log, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
Bake, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the logs are firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Transfer the logs, still on the parchment paper, to a wire rack and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 250 F.
Transfer the warm logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs on the diagonal into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake until the biscotti are dry and firm to the touch, about 1 hour. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the sheet of biscotti cool completely on the rack.
Notes: Reducing the oven is key. Tried substitution with half craisins and they could not be identified at all. Come out fairly dark and molasses flavored.
Chocolate walnut Biscotti:
1 cup walnut pieces, roughly chopped
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons Coffee Extract (recipe follows)
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
This dough is very sticky, so use ample flour on your work surface and hands when rolling it out.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a second baking sheet. Toast them in the oven, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool the sheet on a wire rack. Keep the oven on.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, baking soda, and salt. Beat on low speed until the ingredients are well combined and no butter pieces are visible, about 4 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, coffee extract, and vanilla. Add the mixture to the flour mixture and beat on low speed to combine. Add the cooled nuts and the chocolate chips, and beat just to combine.
Turn out the dough onto a generously floured work surface and divide it in half. Shape each portion into a 16 x 2-inch log, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart.
Bake, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the logs are firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Transfer the logs, still on the parchment paper, to a wire rack and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 250 F.
Transfer the warm logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs on the diagonal into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake until the biscotti are dry and firm to the touch, about 1 hour. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the sheet of biscotti cool completely on the rack.
Coffee Extract
1/4 cup hot water
One 2-ounce jar instant espresso powder, preferably Medaglia D'Oro
Slowly stir the hot water directly into the jar of espresso powder. Cover the jar with the lid, close the lid tightly, and shake well to combine. Use immediately or keep in a dark cupboard at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Variations on Biscotti Recipe:
Chocolate-Dipped Chocolate Walnut Biscotti
Bake the biscotti, omitting the chocolate chips. Melt and temper 12 ounces semisweet chocolate. Dip one side, or one end, of each cookie into the chocolate. Scrape off any excess chocolate on the edge of the bowl. Place the biscotti, dipped side down, on a parchment-covered baking sheet. Let the chocolate set at room temperature, about 5 minutes. The biscotti can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
