So the second week of GBBO is Biscuits. Not something I make that often really (I prefer cake!), though I did make fruity coconut florentines last year.
Having seen the challenges that the contestants had to face this week, Biscotti for the signature bake, Arlettes for the technical challenge and a Biscuit Box for the showstopper, I decided that biscotti would be my choice.
An Italian favourite, ideal with an espresso, they are baked twice and have a great snap to them.
From this week’s GBBO episode I learnt they should be only just set after the first bake, to prevent them burning on the second bake, and that they should not be rock hard.
Although I baked my biscotti earlier in the week and didn’t know this useful bit of information, I seem to have got away with it. My mango, lime and pistachio biscotti were rather moreish!
My biscotti are flavoured with chopped pistachio, chopped dried mango and pure lime oil. The combination works really well together, and the pistachios give the biscotti a great texture.
The citrus flavour of the lime cuts through the sweetness of the biscotti itself too.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need for the recipe (quantities in the recipe card below):
- plain flour
- baking powder
- caster sugar
- eggs
- pistachio kernels
- dried mango
- lime oil
Method
-
Preheat your oven to 140 degrees (fan).
-
Place the flour, baking powder and caster sugar in a bowl and mix.
-
Add the eggs bit by bit, mixing well after each addition. Carry on until a firm but not sticky dough is formed. You may not need to use all the eggs, I used about two and a half eggs.
-
Add the chopped pistachio, mango and lime oil and mix it well by hand until it is evenly distributed through the dough.
-
Place the dough on a floured work surface and knead it gently, then split it in half.
-
Roll each piece into a log shape, and place on a lined baking sheet, leaving a gap in between as they will spread.
-
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
-
Remove from the oven, check that the logs are set, and allow to cool for about ten minutes.
-
Use a serrated knife to cut the logs into thick slices, diagonally.
-
Return the slices to your baking tray, cut side up. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning over half way through. Ensure the biscotti are cooked through before removing from the oven. Leave to cool.
I based my recipe on Paul Hollywood’s basic biscotti recipe from here, and adapted it using my own flavours.
My favourite of the biscotti on GBBO this week were the orange, almond and Rosemary ones that Ian made. I loved the sound of those.
Enjoy with a coffee.
Pin me on Pinterest:
Recipe
Mango, Lime and Pistachio Biscotti
Ingredients
Biscotti:
- 250 g plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 250 g caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 2-3 medium eggs I used 2 and a half, beaten
Mango, lime and pistachio flavouring:
- 65 g pistachio kernels chopped
- 40 g dried mango chopped
- 2 tsp lime oil I used Boyajian lime oil from Kings Fine Foods
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 140℃ (fan) / 280℉.
- Place the flour, baking powder and caster sugar in a bowl and mix.250 g plain flour (all-purpose flour), 0.5 tsp baking powder, 250 g caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- Add the eggs bit by bit, mixing well after each addition. Carry on until a firm but not sticky dough is formed. You may not need to use all the eggs, I used about two and a half eggs.2-3 medium eggs
- Add the chopped pistachio, mango and lime oil and mix it well by hand until it is evenly distributed through the dough.65 g pistachio kernels, 40 g dried mango, 2 tsp lime oil
- Place the dough on a floured work surface and knead it gently, then split it in half.
- Roll each piece into a log shape, and place on a lined baking sheet, leaving a gap in between as they will spread.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, check that the logs are set, and allow to cool for about ten minutes.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the logs into thick slices, diagonally.
- Return the slices to your baking tray, cut side up. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning over half way through. Ensure the biscotti are cooked through before removing from the oven. Leave to cool.
I’m linking up with the Great Bloggers Bakeoff 2015 with Jenny from Mummy Mishaps, hosted this week by Andrea from All you need is love and cake
Stacey Guilliatt (Nobody Said It Was Easy) says
Ooh i really love the sound of this flavour combination, they look great too 🙂 #gbbobloggers2015
Angela Field (PatisserieMakesPerfect) says
These look so good Lucy. I love biscotti and this flavour combination is really amazing. Glad the oils worked well! x
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Angela, I was really impressed with the oils, such a natural scent (as so natural) and really easy to use
My Family Ties says
Ooh these sound wonderful! I love the sound of them as they must taste really Summery – a crunchy delight with a cuppa!
Hayley (@SnapHappyBakes) says
Love the flavours you’ve added, bet they give the biscuits a fresh tropical taste! I want one! #CookBlogShare
bakingqueen74 says
Yes very tropical, just right for this rain…. 😉
Andrea @ Made With Pink says
I love the sound of these! Like a crunchy tropical party in my mouth! I would have never thought to use the flavours you did, but I love them!
thehungrymum says
have never made biscotti. These look great – love pistachio.
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks, they last for ages which is great.
Anca says
They look delicious and really well baked.
I baked the biscotti before the show too, as I want to post the recipe Wednesday morning. This is a little more challenging too. I have a link-up for GBBO bake along, if you want to join in.
Andrea (@loveandcakeblog) says
These sound delicious! Great flavour combination
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks! x
Laura says
These sound delicious! Really fresh and unusual featuring some of my favourite flavours. I feel some coconut in there would be good too to add to the tropical taste 🙂
bakingqueen74 says
Good call!
Krati says
I liked the idea of using mango, surely will give it a try. 🙂
bakingqueen74 says
Great stuff
Rebecca Beesley (The Beesley Buzz) says
Mango, lime and pistachio!!! what an awesome flavour combination you have come up with! x
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks,Rebecca!
Cathy Glynn says
I love the combination of these flavours, they look scrummy x
bakingqueen74 says
Very kind Cathy
familyfriendsfoodblog says
What a great flavour combo! I bet they’re delicious.
bakingqueen74 says
I couldn’t stop picking at them that’s for sure. Thanks Helen
Janice (@FarmersgirlCook) says
These sound heavenly, all those flavours will work so well together.
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Janice, the pistachios just add texture really so they are pretty tasty
Kate Veggie Desserts (@veggie_desserts) says
Yum! I love the flavours in these. You’re so organised being on top of the GBBO action. These would woo Paul, definitely.
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Kate, they were tasty. Not sure Mary would like the combo but perhaps,Paul would!
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
Mmm, these look sooo good. Certainly looks like you’ve mastered the bake – or bakes seen as they’re baked twice.
Angela x
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Angela, I will definitely make them again now I’ve tried them
hijackedbytwins says
Oh wow I love the flavours in your biscotti, I bet they made a refreshing biscotti, love this! x #GBBOBloggers2015
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Kirsty, they are too moreish
Louise Fairweather says
They look fantastic and I love the thought of mango in them
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Louise, they were nice and fruity
Mother Mands says
Mmm…I do like the look and sound of these! 😀 I made some chocolate, orange and fig ones, but they could of done with a bit longer in the oven. I think I’ll try yours for my second attempt at biscotti 😉
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks very much! Your flavour sounds great, I’d love to try that.
jenny paulin says
i think your flavour sounds very intriguing Lucy and I for one would be happy to taste one (or two!). They are very pretty with the multi coloured specks of colour x
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Jenny – I forgot to take them to work to share in the end so will just have to finish them all off. What a shame!