Cinnamon Toast Biscotti

What makes Cinnamon Toast Biscotti special is the topping added during the second bake. After cutting the loaves into thick slices and toasting one side, brush the biscotti with a bit of butter. Then sprinkle each cookie with cinnamon and sugar, like a slice of Cinnamon Toast.

An Ardent Collaboration

Cinnamon Toast has a special place in my heart. There is something timelessly appealing about the way a hot oven melds the sweet warmth of cinnamon with a light dusting of sugar on a slice of buttered bread.

Biting into a perfectly browned slice of Cinnamon Toast is bliss. The crisp veneer of spicy caramelized sugar has long been a powerful charm for chasing the cold from my winter mornings. It is such a potent memory that I can almost taste the sweetness, just thinking about it. I can also feel the warm cinnamon scent in my nose inviting me to smile as I remember childhood mornings lingering in a warm kitchen.

Of course the ardent collaboration of cinnamon and sugar has the power to warm more than just a slice of toast on a cold morning. The beauty of this alliance is easily transferred to other delightful applications. Cinnamon is perfect for enlivening a sweet streusel topping, adding mystery to a cup of hot chocolate, or a vivid accent to a fruit medley.

Sweet and Simple

Cinnamon and sugar also makes a fantastic topping for biscotti, that crisp twice-baked cookie often served with coffee or tea. This recipe for biscotti is unique in its initial plainness. The dough is made from only basic ingredients, without the common addition of fruit or nuts. It is first baked without adornment, in two mildly sweet loaves on a single baking sheet.

What makes Cinnamon Toast Biscotti special is the topping added during the second bake. After cutting the loaves into thick slices and toasting one side, brush the biscotti with a bit of butter. Then sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar, like a slice of Cinnamon Toast. Back in the oven, the heat seals the cinnamon topping to the cookie. As the Biscotti fully develops that wonderful crunch, the cinnamon and sugar add a sweet touch of warmth to every bite.

Cinnamon Toast Biscotti

Course: CookiesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

32

cookies

Prep time

20

minutes

Baking time

45

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

5

minutes

What makes Cinnamon Toast Biscotti special is adding the cinnamon toast topping during the second bake to seal in a warm sweet crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup butter

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

• 1-2 Tablespoons butter, melted

• 2 Tablespoons white sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set aside.
• In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat 1/4 cup butter until smooth. Add brown and white sugar and continue to beat until very smooth, several minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time, and continue beating. Add vanilla and beat until smooth and well combined.
• Stir in dry ingredients, just until combined.
• Divide the dough in half and turn onto the prepared baking sheet. Shape each half into a log approximately 2 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 1 inch high. Make sure the logs are at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
• Bake at 350F for about 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. After a few minutes remove loaves from the pan and allow to cool on the wire rack for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes cut each loaf into 3/4 inch thick slices. Place each slice face down on the baking sheet. Return to oven and bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Remove pan to a wire rack.
• Combine the 2 Tablespoons sugar and the 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
• Flip each cookie over. Brush the side turned up with just a little of the melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Return to oven and bake 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and allow cookies to cool.
• Enjoy!