Cherry Almond Biscotti

Dried cherries, amaretto liqueur, and chopped blanched almonds add their flavors to these elegant biscotti. Serve with glasses of dessert wine and cups of espresso or cappuccino for dipping.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 145 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup amaretto liqueur
• ¾ cup chopped blanched almonds
• 3 tablespoons white sugar, divided
• 1 ¾ cups dried cherries

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

Stir dried cherries and amaretto liqueur together in a saucepan over medium heat until the amaretto comes to a simmer; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the liquid for later use.

Step 3

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together onto a sheet of waxed paper. Beat butter with 1 cup sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat 3 eggs into butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, blending in each egg before adding the next. Stir reserved cherry liquid and vanilla extract into the wet ingredients.

Step 4

Beat butter with 1 cup sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat 3 eggs into butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, blending in each egg before adding the next. Stir reserved cherry liquid and vanilla extract into the wet ingredients.

Step 5

Stir flour mixture into the wet ingredients a little at a time to form a smooth dough. Gently fold cherries and almonds into dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, divide in half, and form each half into a log 12 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Gently press the logs with your fingers to flatten to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Transfer loaves to the prepared baking sheets, brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle each with 1 1/2 tablespoon white sugar.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until the loaves are golden brown, about 35 minutes. Transfer loaves to wire racks and cool for 20 minutes. Use a sharp knife to slice each loaf on the diagonal into 16 pieces. Transfer the biscotti to baking sheets. Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 7

Bake in the oven for 8 minutes; flip biscotti and bake until crisp and lightly browned, about 8 more minutes.