Smarter Orange-Infused Cherry-Almond Biscotti from Fitness Elements!

Orange-Infused Cherry-Almond Biscotti
Biscotti is a smart thing to have on hand for unexpected guests. Great with coffee or tea, they can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container. The flavors of dried cherries, oranges, and almonds lend a refreshing fruit twist to this version.


You can make these cookies up to a week ahead and store them at room temperature in an airtight container. When buying dried cherries, look for those without added sugar. Serve with coffee or tea.

Yield: 40 biscotti (serving size: 1 biscotto)
Ingredients

* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 7 1/2 ounces)
* 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (about 5 1/8 ounces)
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 3 large eggs
* 3/4 cup dried sweet cherries, chopped
* 3/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped
* Cooking spray (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine rind, butter, juice, almond extract, and eggs in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Stir in cherries and almonds. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 8 times. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into an 11-inch-long roll. Place rolls 4 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until golden. Remove the rolls from pan, and cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cut each roll diagonally into 20 (1/2-inch) slices. Carefully stand slices upright on baking sheet.

Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

Bake biscotti for 20 minutes or until almost firm (biscotti will be slightly soft in center but will continue to harden as they cool). Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information

Calories:
83 (23% from fat)
Fat:
2.1g (sat 0.5g,mono 1g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:
2g
Carbohydrate:
14.3g
Fiber:
1.1g
Cholesterol:
17mg
Iron:
0.6mg
Sodium:
79mg
Calcium:
26mg

Only 17 More Days Away Until Christmas Enjoy Your Healthy Cookie Countdown!