Saturday, December 8, 2012

Home smells great!

Saturday evening at home! 
Where is nothing better than relaxation after long week, spending evening with beloved husband and slightly chilled rose wine. Relaxing, laughing, watching movie and tasting biscotti cantuccini along with glass of wine! That is a really nice combination and delight your palate.

Photography: Mindaugas Zumas

This time I have tried to make biscotti cantuccini with almonds and a splash of dark rum. Haven't used rum before for biscotti. You know, cantuccini turned out great! The dark rum gives a special flavour. You don't need a lot, just a little splash and your patisserie will be highly evaluated. Actually I do use rum in most of my bakings (small amounts of course), we just love the taste given by rum. 
But that's not only about rum but about the most important - preparation for Christmas! Since we tasted biscotti, liked them very much (with rum) and so... decided to make a big batch! This job is waiting to be done next week. Small lovely pretty sweet presents will be created to friends and family members and the people we know... Canny wait, I just love making these tasty tinny gifts! Love to receive presents but the most what I love is the way of giving presents for whose I love! 

There are lots and lots of recipes but I follow up this one for baking biscotti cantuccini. 

Photography: Mindaugas Zumas

Ingredients
220 g caster sugar
2 eggs
finely grated rind of 1 lemon zest


300 g plain flour, sifted
1/2 tsp baking powder
150 g whole almonds - skin on
2 Tbsp of dark rum
1/2 lemon juice
Photography: Mindaugas Zumas
 
Method
Preheat oven to 170°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Place sugar, eggs, grated lemon rind, juice of half lemon and 2 tablespoons of dark rum in a large bowl. Beat with electric beaters until pale and thick enough. Fold in sifted flour, baking powder and almonds. Now use your hands to lightly knead dough on a floured work surface or just in the bowl until the dough is smooth.
Divide the mixture in half. Make 2 long logs about 25 cm long x 5 cm wide. Place them on prepared baking tray, leaving space between logs. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the dough is firm to the touch and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely. It takes approx. an hour. Afterwards preheat the oven to 180°C. Once dough is cool, use a small serrated knife to cut each long log on the diagonal in 0.5 cm slices.
Lay slices flat on the baking tray and return to oven for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until completely dried out. 

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Suggest to store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.



Photography: Mindaugas Zumas

These is the recipe easy to follow.
For perfect complement also I made melted chocolate for dipping. Almost everthing tastes much better with melted chocolate. 


Photography: Mindaugas Zumas

This is how you can sweeten up you weekend or if it's just boring day - turn it into smiley face day with lots of biscotti around you covered in chocolate! That will make you smile, I hope! :) Get ready and make it, it doesn't require a lot of your time! What you need - it's only preparation and good mood for baking. Or if you are looking for pretty sweet Christmas present idea - this is one of the right places you came in! 

How do you make your biscotti cantuccini? What is your favorite recipe? Share it with us! 

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