I made cookies!! Biscotti no less – pinon biscotti to be exact. This may not seem like a big deal but for me, it is a big deal. I can count on one hand the number of times I have made cookies in the past 25 years!
I was inspired to not only make cookies, but to develop a cookie recipe when Anne of A Salad for All Seasons invited me to take part in a very special event called Pass the Plate. Sharon & Denise of Be Betsy, were inspired by Kitchenaid’s Cook for the Cure® to join the fight against breast cancer. They purchased a plate specially designed by Jacques Pepin. The plate is filled with cookies and literally passed from blogger to blogger. Each time the plate reaches a new destination, Kitchenaid donates $5 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Last week I became the proud recipient of these absolutely delicious Ginger Chili Caramel Cookies that Anne made just for me (although I did share a few with Bobby). Sweet and spicy – one of my favorite flavor combinations! Thank you Anne for the perfect cookie!
Now for the pinon biscotti!
Pinon Biscotti
Whenever we can, Bobby and I take a break from work and have afternoon tea and cookies. One of the perks of working from home. 🙂 Biscotti are our favorite cookies because we love to dip. In the past I have always bought them, but the past is the past. Last weekend I made biscotti for the first time. I was so thrilled with the results that I had to make another batch just to make sure it wasn’t beginner’s luck. The second batch was as good as the first.
Now for the recipe. As I mentioned before, these are pinon biscotti. What I didn’t mention is that they have a hint of lavender that makes them extra special. I hope you enjoy them.
A wonderful little cookie that goes great with your afternoon or evening tea.
“*” See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
- 2 ¼ cup sifted unbleached AP flour
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. dried lavender*, crush between fingers
- ½ cup pinon nuts (pine nuts)
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. butter*, softened (add if you prefer your biscotti less crispy)
- Preheat oven to 350° F*.
- In bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the lavender by crushing it between your fingers into the dry mixture. Whisk to incorporate. Stir in the pinon nuts.
- In a larger bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar (and butter, if using) until a light yellow color. Add the vanilla extract and blend in.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, a little at a time, and fold until a dough forms.
Divide the dough in half and place each half at least 2 inches apart, onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Using lightly flour-dusted hands, shape the dough into logs about 12 inches long by 3 inches wide, by 1 inch high. (These are NOT exact measurements.)
Place baking sheet with cookie logs in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn and bake another 10 – 15 minutes or until top of dough is crusty and firm to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and reduce oven temperature to 325° F. Transfer cookie logs to a cutting board. Let cool 5 minutes.
- Using a serrated knife and cutting motion, cut the logs on a diagonal into 3/4 inch wide pieces. Transfer the cut pieces back to the baking sheet or cookie sheet (will take 2 sheets), cut side down.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Turn each cookie over to the other cut side and bake for another 8 minutes.
- Transfer to cooling rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
As the references for this recipe, I studied the biscotti recipes in Cook’s Illustrated and the Double Chocolate Pecan biscotti recipe and high altitude baking instructions in the cookbook Pie In the Sky.
Lavender – I decided to add a little lavender because we have some wonderful local lavender at an organic lavender farm called Los Poblanos in the north valley. In the early summer it has fields and fields of beautiful blooming lavender. In July it holds a Lavender Festival and features all types of goodies and classes about lavender.
Butter vs. no butter – Since I had never made biscotti before, I did quite a bit of research and found some recipes with butter and some without. For example, The Pie In The Sky recipe had butter and 3 eggs, while the Cook’s Illustrated recipe had no butter and 2 eggs. Apparently, it’s the fat content that controls the crispiness – too little fat and the biscotti gets too crispy and too much fat they are too soft. I decided to split the difference between these two and omit the butter altogether and use 3 eggs. The result were crispy, but not tooth cracking biscotti. I preferred them this way because I always dip them in my tea anyway. Bobby preferred them a little less crispy.
In the third batch, I blended in 2 Tbsp. softened butter with the eggs and sugar. The result was a less crispy biscotto that stayed “soft” for several days. Bobby prefer these. I preferred them crispier. So there you go – for more crispy, omit the butter; for less crispy and more cookie like, add butter.
Second baking time – The first time I made these I did an experiment with the second baking. Actually, the whole thing was an experiment. Anyway, I divided the cut cookies into two batches. The first batch I baked 7 minutes per side. The second batch I baked 9 minutes per side. The 7 minute batch was a touch gummy in the center and the 9 minute batch was pretty crispy. Knowing that they would get even more crispy from day to day, I felt that 9 minutes was too long. When I made these again, I did 8 minutes per side on the second bake and they were “just right”. They still get a little crispier after a few days, but they are dipping cookies, so just serve them with a nice hot cup of tea.
Oven Temperature – Pie In the Sky recommended an oven temperature of 350° F for any place over 3000 feet in elevation and 325° F for the second baking. At sea level, the recommended oven temperatures were 325° F and 275° F, respectively but a minute or two longer on the cooking time. So keep that in mind if you live at sea level.
Dipped in chocolate (didn’t work) – Bobby was curious to see how they tasted dipped in chocolate so we gave it a try. We both agreed that the chocolate overpowered the original flavors, so that idea got trashed. Sometimes you just need to leave well enough alone.
The brave recipient of this plate of pinon biscotti is Biren of Roti n Rice, a beautiful blog packed with unique and traditional Malaysian, Indian and Asian recipes. Biren takes you into some very exotic places through her delicious food! Now she has extended her talents into Tea Tattler where you are introduced to her love of tea, her incredible collection of teapots and tea cups, and various tea treats. So please visit both of Biren’s websites. You’ll love what you find!
For another delicious cookie, check out these Molasses Ginger Cookies. During the holidays the only cookies I make are the ginger cookies and these biscottis.
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I’ve never baked anything with pine nuts before and I’m intrigued by the use in cookies. I love pine nuts and I can see how these would pair nicely with the texture of biscotti… A very cool recipe, MJ!
Thanks so much Mark! I think the reason why pine nuts work so well in biscotti is that pine nuts are best toasted, so when they are baked in the cookies it brings out their wonderful flavor.
I’m so glad I found your recipe. I was planning to bake biscotti (one of our favorites cookies) and was actually looking for something with lavender!:)
They look wonderful and I’m definitely going to try your recipe!!
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Yum! You had me at lavender! I’ve never tried to make my own biscotti before…now you are inspiring me! Thank for sharing at Meatless Monday!
You are such a good baker, MJ! The biscotti looks amazing! I always want to try the twice baked ones but never get around to it! Your recipe sounds fantastic. Love the topping of pine nuts
You biscotti look delicious. I saw your post on YBR and the picture caught my eye.
Beautiful cookies and for a great cause. I’m like you and don’t bake cookies. The last time was a few Christmas’ ago. Thanks for being a part of the YBR, have a great week! 🙂
P.S. Great depth of field!
Delicious biscotti, I haven’t baked one yet. Yes it is always amazing to see the spirit of people who go through very bad disease.
Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop.
Great post and cause MJ! I think anything you make always looks like perfection! These lovely biscotti are no exception!
What a wonderful idea to support a wonderful cause! And your Pine Nut Biscotti sound so delicious. I love the idea of adding the lavender. What a fabulous cookie!
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I adore pinons and baking with lavender adds such sweet floral touch! congrats on your biscotti, they look amazing and such a great cause!
hmmm i would love to have a cup of coffee with this…bookmarked!!
Great looking biscotti! For someone who doesn’t bake, you sure know how to bake. 😉 The lavender is a great idea. Great cause, great cookie – thanks.
This is a must try…the recipe looks wonderful and will definitely give it a whirl. Loved the article and fighting breast cancer as you know has been a passion of mine for a long time. There have just been too many friends and family members that have suffered and/or died as a result of this horrific disease. Love you, KC
Delicious biscotti. Love to try it.
I love this this a good cup of coffee! Nice post
Oh your Biscottis sounds wonderful! I have on my to do list, to make biscotti. I really can’t believe with all the coffee I consume….I still have never made biscotti. The pinon would be a wonderful flavor combo in your delicious cookies:-) Hugs, Terra
These cookies of yours look delicious, MJ! I love them (since I looooove pine nuts).
Have a great week-end, my friend!
Yes a great cause and a great idea to pass the plate. We used to do race for a cure every year and walked for my mom, grandmother, and family friend (all survivors).
Girl, you need to bake cookies more often b/c these sound wonderful. I just pinned them.
Hi MJ – great job on the cookies. You know, I’ve been meaning to make biscotti for so darn long and *still* haven’t got around to it! These looks really lovely, and I love the addition of lavender! Fortunately they don’t have an obscene amount of pine nuts either because those darn things cost a fortune!
Ah! MJ, how I wish I could just rush home and make a few batches of these beauties right now. Love your creative lavender and pine nuts combo! Between cookies and biscotti, biscotti usually win my pick as they are generally less sweet. I live for tea/coffee break to get me through the work day, so these biscotti are just perfect with a cup of earl grey or ceylon tea. Also, bravo for highlighting causes that are close to your heart. You are such an angel for always spreading messages that call out to make a difference in every day lives.
Oh, these cooking pages… I love cooking pages, but I am full of envy as I just don’t have the time. But EXCELLENT pictures.
Thanks MJ for introducing to such brave and courageous women here, my hearty well wishes to all!
Lavender, pinon and a Biscotti..why..oh..why do you have to seduce me with ingredients which are hard to find here…
Oh I’m so sorry Sanjeeta! I’ll try to come up with one that has ingredients you have access to. 🙂 Thanks Darlin!
I love biscotti and your look so good!
A wonderful cause and a different and wonderful sounding biscotti…lavender and pine nuts sound great.
Hi MJ! Although biscotti is not one of my faves, piñon is. I should make some of these. My heart goes to those affected by cancer. It should be everyone’s concern. We are supporters of Cancer Research here in the UK. Everyone should rally to help those already affected and those working to find prevention and cure.
unfortunately too many of our dear ones have lost the battle against cancer. All those from my family that have dies recently had cancer. Its kind of mysterious and I dont understand why nowadays generations are suffering of it more and more. The project is a noble cause MJ, thanks for bringing the awareness a bit closer into our eyesight.
Biscotti with lavender wow! I have some dried lavender left from my mothers garden. You wont believe, I kept it out in the sun for drying a bit more and the stupid neighbors cat pissed on it!! I was soo angry, stupid neighbor cats, and there are soo many!
I think so I d add little butter to the recipe to make them a tiny bit less crispy. I get always sores in my mouth when things r too crispy. ^.^
Thanks Helene! I’m planning on doing another experiment this weekend and add a little butter to see what the texture difference is. Thanks for that comment. Those darn cats!!!! It must smell too much like catnip. Come to think of it, that may have been why my lavender plant died – too many cats in the neighborhood. Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Great looking biscotti MJ, and so nice that you were able to bake to help such a great cause. Love that you were able to make a dessert that it so unique to the region!
Thank you also for the very kind words and your friendship. ♥
You are most welcome!
MJ, the biscottis are here! I am so excited and need to make a pot of tea real soon. I have been patiently setting up and taking pictures. Now that it is done I need to taste them. Actually one piece broke and I ate part of it. Please don’t tell! They are so good! Love the pine nuts and lavender which happens to be one of my favorite flavorings. Thank you so much for the biscotti and the honor to Pass the Plate to the next person.
Hugs always….Biren xx
WooHoo! So glad they got there safely and that it was only one cookie that was broken and not the plate. 🙂 I was taking a chance with the lavender so it thrills me that it’s one of your favorites! Thank you Biren for joining us in Pass The Plate! I read over at Be Betsy that they have now started a second plate – more love to go around and more $$ for the cause. Can’t wait to see who you pass the plate to. Enjoy my friend! Hugs to you!
What a delicious new use for pine nuts! These sound wonderful. And what a great cause that has inspired you to bake! 🙂
Just to let you know that your link to Food on Friday: Salad was featured in my Need Some Inspiration? Series today. Have a great week.
Thanks so much Carole!
Beautifully made MJ and that too for a great cause!
MJ these are gorgeous! I adore homemade biscotti
If you’re going to make a cookie—these are it! I love it =)
The biscotti looks and sounds delicious! I wish I was that ambitious. I’m glad you are. Your photos are gorgeous – worthy of framing.
What a nice thing to say Nads! Thanks!!! These biscotti really were quite easy to make. Easier than oatmeal raisin in my opinion and the outcome was more consistent. Hugs….
So when this plate travels.. it has some cookies on it as well? Or does the plate go on its own? I think that’s a tremendous idea for a good cause. Breast cancer has taken one of my friends, my friend’s daughter and now another friend has begun the fight. Even small gestures can help this cause in big ways. I love biscotti and have been craving it of late.. you’ve inspired me with your lovely batch! xx
Thank you Barbara for your comments! Yes, the plate travel WITH cookies! 🙂 Each recipient make a new batch of his/her favorite cookie and sends them with the plate to the next recipient. It’s pretty cool and for such a good cause. I’m so sorry to read about all of the people you know that have or are suffering from this disease. Yes – every little bit helps. Have a great week!
Oh that is such an inspirational story. Thank you for taking part in it. I’m loving your biscotti, the lavender/pine nut mix sounds inspired.
What a brilliant idea – passing the plate to cook for the cure… an excellent cause and delicious way to support it. Anne’s baking is out of this world and her combinations are so unique and inventive… I must check out her buttermilk lemon tarragon bread (oh my…how good does that sound…). Your nutty biscotti looks perfect MJ – talk about the ideal afternoon nibble with your tea from the comfort of home… yay for working from home! ;-). Love the photo with the faded flowers behind… so peaceful, beautiful.
Thank you Kelly! It’s great to have the inspiration of so many talented people to improve one’s skills and creativity! It’s so easy to spoil yourself went you work from home. We love our afternoon tea. 🙂
Peach Lady your post made me cry. We have a beautiful daughter who used to bring us amazing biscotti; white chocolate with lavender was a favourite. I could never make these; biscotti used to be Susie’s specialty. She has MS and no longer bakes, she can’t even feed herself. I cried, but seeing your photos flooded me with happy memories too. Thank you for this post.
Oh Zsuzsa – reading your comment made ME cry! Thank you so much for sharing such a personal story. I’m so very sorry to read about your daughter. I’ve had a couple of close friends with MS so I understand what you’re going through. I’m glad I could provide you with some happy memories. Lots and lots of hugs my dear!
I don’t bake as frequent as other food bloggers. In fact, to start baking was this year’s goal and I think I baked at least once a month (which is a big milestone for me). Biscotti has been on my list to bake but haven’t had a chance yet. I love how it looks next to your tea cup. Saving this recipe for my future baking!
Thanks Nami! Baking was a goal of mine this year as well! It got put on hold obviously during the remodel, but I’ve been trying to bake at least once a week since I moved back in. Now that I’ve actually developed a little bit of a habit on measuring things, it’s making the baking process work. 🙂 Good luck on your baking endeavors!
MJ, these cookies look totally delicious and what a wonderful cause. I have never made biscotti before and I really like the lavender addition. I did have some growing for a while but for some reason they didn’t last long enough to use them for anything, LOL. Have a wonderful week sweet lady.
What a sweet initiative and a wonderful cause! I love biscotti and have never made them with pine nuts before like this – I must try! Gorgeous.
Wow, gorgeous!! I make biscotti often…I need to try your recipe. And lavender?! Double wow! 🙂
These look gorgeous and for a great cause!I love biscotti but never baked them myself!Your version with pine nuts and lavender sounds really good!!Wish I could taste these 🙂
I love it when you bake, MJ! I still remember that gorgeous apple caramel pie you made. You obviously have a flair for baking (admit it now :)) and you have proved it again with these scrumptious biscottis. Pinning these, will let you know how they turn out.
Thanks so much Rathai!!! O.K. – My baking is definitely improving and my enjoyment of it is greater than I ever expected. Is that good? 🙂 Please do let me know how you like them. We’re addicted to them!
You know I read so many blogs I couldn’t remember which one inspired me yesterday to make biscotti until yours popped in my inbox this morning. Thanks for the inspiration – I made some when I crawled out of bed yesterday morning with ingredients I had on hand. I love biscotti!
Thanks Vicki! I saw your post and what a great biscotti! I love all of the inspiration that comes with blogging and Bobby does too. 🙂
MJ, I also don’t bake cookies often (apart from Anzac Biscuits to which me and my husband are addicted). These biscotti look very appetising and the breast cancer awareness that is linked to them, makes them even more special.
It’s unbelievable how many women do not care for breast check ups even if they are easy and free.
You have reminded me I have never used the bag of lavender I bought especially to bake with.
(PS There is a small error in the first link, to Anne’s blog: an additional http at the end).
Thanks Sissi! I’ve never heard of Anzac Biscuits but I’ll be checking them out, you can bet that. I actually found that bag of lavender when I was moving back into the kitchen. I had forgotten about it, so it was nice to come up with a use for it and a delicious use at that! Thanks so much for letting me know about the coding error. You’re a doll!
Hi, MJ. I don’t want to boast but my ANZAC biscuits are foolproof and addictive (of course it’s not my recipe! it’s a national Australian (and maybe also New Zealand’s) treasure 😉 ) : http://www.withaglass.com/?p=6051
Good on you for helping raise awareness of breast cancer. I love the look of your biscotti and I’d like to try it with lavender in it. I haven’t tried that yet xx
Your biscottis made me crave for them now!!! They look perfect…ooo love to munch on a few 🙂
Thanks for stopping over my space…hugs!
These look just wonderful. I’m allergic to nuts, but can eat pine nuts, so I look for recipes where I can make that substitution. I’m definitely making these – and really love the addition of the lavender. Wonderful recipe, MJ!
Thanks WV! That’s interesting that you can eat pine nuts. Well, if I could eat just one nut it would have to be either the pine nut or the pecan. I hope you do get a chance to make these!
I’m so glad that Anne’s baking project got you to whip up these marvelous biscotti!! I’ve had fun watching the plate cross the country 🙂
Such a wonderful post of a worthy cause.
I love the idea of passing the plate and the idea of lavender in biscotti sounds amazing
What stunning biscotti my friend and with such a unique flavour 🙂
Also thank you for introducing such an awesome cause!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a great post! You helped to spread word of a worthwhile charity, gave us new blogs to explore, and shared a killer biscotti recipe. Well done!
Thanks John! What a compliment coming from an Italian who has probably made biscotti 101 times! Have a great day!
Bravo! MJ, what a great post, thank you for introducing us to Anne, Sharon, and Denise — is is so fun to see new sites. I like the flavor combination you used for the biscotti and the photos are fantastic! 🙂
Thanks Judy! I’m glad I could introduce you to some new and wonderful people!
Your biscotti looks so perfect! I tried making biscotti once and I failed miserably. It was too soft. I like that you added lavender to yours. I have some lavender in my cupboard so I want to try to make biscotti again. Do you think pepitas would work instead of pine nuts in this recipe?
And, thanks for reminding us to donate to help fight the battle against breast cancer. It’s such an important cause.
Thanks Tessa! I definitely think pepitas would work or even sunflower seeds. If you try it let me know how they turn out. I do like the idea of pepitas!
How exciting … I recently made biscotti for the first time, as well (it’ll be coming to a post in December) and they turned out great … Don’t know why I was so intimidated b/c they were great … Love yours 🙂
Thanks CJ! Can’t wait to see your biscotti!
MJ!!! I am so proud of you! I think you sell yourself way too short in the baking department. These are beautiful!!! If I had known you loved biscotti, I would have sent you some. However, you would have had to use them for your doorstop! Mine always come out more dense than I would like! These look lovely. Beautiful clicks as always. And a really poignant post. We all need to be more aware. It was wonderful to share in this amazing opportunity with you. I look forward to seeing what Biren does and I’m excited to check out both blogs, especially Tea Tattler since I share the same love for tea, teacups and teapots! Sending big hugs your way my friend! : )
Anne – thank you and I, too, was very happy to share this opportunity with you! Thanks for including me and for the wonderful cookies! Hope you are staying warm up there! Sending lots of hugs back your way!
These look outstanding MJ and for such a wonderful cause!! Well done! I am sure Biren will love them. 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. ~ Ramona
This was a nice story you told and so often I think we forget that breast cancer has no boundaries. It can touch all of us so its important that each of us do what we can to raise money and awareness.
I love biscotti but haven’t made it in so long. I think I might whip up a batch of my favorite ones this morning. I agree adding chocolate can overpower them. However sometimes a dip of white chocolate on just one side tastes pretty good.
Nice post!
Thanks Vicki! Hum – white chocolate – now that sounds interesting!
I adore twice baked hard cookies…these look splendid with pine nuts.
I truly found to this unique and original site recently. I was seriously grabbed with the part of assets you’ve got here. Big thumbs up for creating such fantastic website!
Biren is so lucky! I read about this and I agree that Anne’s baking is legendary. 🙂
Breast cancer can be beaten but we all need to do our part by donating AND getting checked.
Great post.
Thanks Maureen for such great comments! Agree with them all!