Sunday, December 9, 2012

Seasons Eatings & My 1st Linky Party!!!

One of my favorite SNL skits is NPR's Delicious Dish Schweddy Balls with Alec Baldwin from "Seasons Eatings".  I laugh harder each and every time I watch it.

I believe it is a tradition in the bloggersphere to feature a favorite holiday recipe at this ChristmasTime!.  So, I thought I'd share one of my bite size treats, Homemade Biscotti that I gift to friends and family at Christmas.

I found this 'semi-homemade' recipe years ago in our local paper. I call it 'semi-homemade' because it uses a box of cake mix as its base. The original recipe from Duncan Hines is very simple.


Lemon Cranberry Biscotti
1 pkg Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe White Cake Mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped, dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 tblspn grated lemon
chocolate chips optional 

Basic Directions
Preheat oven @ 350
Combine cake mix, flour, butter, eggs and vanilla and beat at low speed
Mix in cranberries, nut and lemon rind until well blended.
Divide dough in half and shape into 2 12" x 2" logs.*
Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

*I divide  my dough into 4 sections and place in loaf pan for smaller biscotti.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.
Using serrated knife, cut logs into 1/2" slices.
Arrange slices on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes @ 350.


Cool completely and if desired, dip one end of the biscotti in melted chocolate.

Through the years, I have used various cake mix flavors to create different flavors of biscotti. 

These include combining Spice cake mix with whole wheat flour and substituting lemon rind for orange rind.  I also toss in chopped toasted pecans.  This Pecan Spice Biscotti is probably my most requested biscotti.

I also prepare a Brownie Biscotti using a brownie mix instead of a cake mix.  I fold in dark chocolate chips and walnuts and then dip in chocolate.  Delish!!!

Orange and Cranberry Biscotti is also another favorite of friends.  I use a yellow cake mix as my base and then substitute orange extract for lemon.  I include chopped cranberries and orange rind and devour.

Voila...ready for friends and family!!!



Let me know what you think....

Heather 
I would love for you to share your Gourmet Gift ideas at my 1st Linky Party. Please grab my 1st Linky Party button.  Hope it works!!!!

Larissa Hill Designs Seasons Eatings
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Link up your blog post at "Add Your Link",click and follow the instructions on the page that you are redirected to.  I can't wait to see all of your Gourmet Gifts!!!  I'd love for you to Follow Me too.








6 comments:

  1. Congrats on your first party! This recipe sounds divine - I have never made biscotti - I must try it!

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    Replies
    1. Holly; Thank you for being #1. I can't wait to try your Carrot Crunch Gingerbread. It not looks delish but love the fact that it is so darn healthy too!!! Heather

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  2. This looks lovely! I agree... I must try making biscotti!

    I linked up my Merry Munch!!

    Thank you so much for hosting Heather!!

    Shelley

    www.piggyinpolkadots.blogspot.com

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  3. I've always wanted to know how you made your delicious biscotti & now I do! I am going to attempt to make them & take them to Toronto where I am spending Christmas with my Toronto families this year! Thanks for sharing! Hugs & Love, Mom...xox

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  4. How exciting...your first linky party! I linked up my Grandma's pumpkin bread recipe. It's a family fave! My blog is pretty new and I look forward to hosting my first linky party some day! Congrats and Merry Christmas!

    Amy
    www.homesweetthriftyhome.blogspot.com

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  5. Congrats on your 1st linky party, and I hope it goes well for you! Thanks for stopping by Consider Me Inspired, I linked up with you. If you would like to add your linky party to my page, just let me know in the pages comment section and I will be happy to add it.

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