Growing up, my family was traditional in the sense that every Christmas we picked out our tree, scattered ornaments around the floor, and discussed (and fought over) which ornament went where—and who got to hang the angel. We drove through neighborhoods strung with lights and with Santas flying over chimneys and voted on which house we loved the most that year. We did the obligatory smile-for-the-camera Christmas photos, but that was pretty much the extent of our “traditions.” I always attempted to bake, but being the oldest of four unique siblings, I felt like I could never satisfy everyone’s cravings. The one exciting treat everyone agreed upon was waiting in a shiny tin that arrived by post promptly before every Christmas. The contents inside were the most delectable homemade biscotti from my Aunt Cathy.
These biscotti had the best crunch (not too firm and not too chewy) and soaked up hot chocolate, coffee, or tea just right. I looked forward to my Aunt Cathy’s shipment every year. And even though we lived close to each other for the 13 years that I lived in the Bay Area, she never failed to mail them. Maybe it’s her Georgia roots and Southern traditions, but I loved the whole ritual of her baking the biscotti, packaging them up and sending them off. It was such a thoughtful and kind gesture, and a tradition that I’d like to try and replicate—so here is my attempt. I’m going to package up the biscotti with our homemade honey and give it to friends who live nearby. (For the record, I made both a gluten-free version and my Aunt’s version—Aunt Cathy’s biscotti takes the cake!)
Aunt Cathy’s Biscotti Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 sticks butter
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp. whiskey
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tbsp. anise flavoring
- 1 tbsp. anise seed
- 4 cups flour (use almond flour for gluten-free biscotti)
- 1/2 to 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 tbsp. almond flavoring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together all wet ingredients until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
- Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing as you go, until you have a dough. Place bowl into the refrigerator to chill for 4-5 hours.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll into two loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool on wire rack.
- Reduce oven heat to 280 degrees. When the loaves are cool enough to handle, slice each one into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake at 280 degrees for 1 hour.
- Cool, drizzle with chocolate, if desired, and enjoy with your hot beverage of choice. Delicious!
13 Comments
Julie Rempel
These look so delicious, I am definitely going to be trying them out! Thanks 😘!
Adele Thomson
looks delicious and I am definitely going to try them
Alyson
Is there another flavor that works besides anise? Almond maybe? Orange?
Alesia
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tradition. I remember my grandmother, making wonderful cookies. Shortbread were always my favorites; she would always allow us call me to help with the frosting. I remember having a hearty meal, and then, getting a scoop of ice cream with one of those cookies.
Michele Sloan
Thanks for sharing. I have never had these. Will try for New Year’s.
Jennifer Pasour
I totally get traditions and keeping those familier flavors,and aromas,I will make 5 cup salads and 7 layer cookies during the holidays,my grandmother would make these also for the holidays and when I smell the 7 layers cookies baking I think of her,I have never made biscotti and this recipe looks so good and so easy Ill be trying this one Happy Holidays Gen to you and your family
Heather B Regan
Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try this awesome recipe. Happy Holidays ❤
isabel leal dos santos
paracem deliciosos queria esperimentar , parabens Genevieve você é uma otima conzinheira
unecatastrophe
Bless you for sharing!! We have cookie baking as a tradition in mine as well as my husband’s family and created our own with OUR kids. But, as you say, it’s a hard task to try and please everyone😌 and after my apricot-rosmary cookies (fantastic but not really Christmas-sy) I’ve been coming up short with inspiration! ♥
Tara
I’m not a biscotti expert, but I’ve always wanted to try making them and these look SO good! Definitely going to try for new years eve. Thanks, Gen!
Anna Lawlor
My family and I have a tradition where we go into Philly and get food at the Reading Terminal for our Christmas party. Then we go to Christmas Village and Macy’s to see the light show. I hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas!
Kim Jacobs
Since I know you love to try new things and are trying to stay gluten free, I’m emailing you a couple of GF recipes from the Maggie Beer cookbook my daughter got for Christmas. One recipe is for GF Biscotti!
Lucia
These look so delicious, I am definitely going to be trying them out! Thanks