My life is so orderly. Most afternoons I make up a pot of coffee, whip up some cookies, take out my fancy napkins and invite a friend over for coffee.
Nothing is ever out of place. My hair is always shiny and perfect. My lipstick never wears off. I could totally walk down a read carpet… like, now.
My dishes wash and dry themselves… and hop right back in the cupboard where they belong.
Occasionally there are crumbs, but I keep them contained to my lined baking sheets.
Everything is easy and perfect. You should see just how neat and tidy my closet is. Too good to be true.
And I don’t have to pay taxes…
… oh man… if only that were true.
In real life, no one is coming over for coffee and cookies. Nope.
I’ll drink the coffee… I’ll eat the cookies… I’ll push the cat away as soon as he realizes there are cookies on the table for him to lick.
My dishes don’t do themselves. They can’t. They have no conscience.
Perfect is dumb. I’m totally over it.
Can I tell you about these Peanut Butter Biscotti?
I love biscotti a certain way. No teeth shattering crunch. Lots of flavor. A little bit of soft cookie give. Is that too much to ask?
These peanut butter biscotti totally fit the bill. They’re sugar topped and twice baked , but still have a some softness. Pecans don’t bake up into teeth breaking monsters… that’s why I like them.
Here’s what I want you to know: these cookie dippin’ sticks are good. If your instinct is to add chocolate… we are best friends.
Peanut Butter Pecan Biscotti
Makes: about 2 1/2 dozen biscotti
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk (save the egg white for the egg wash)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pecans
egg wash and 1 tablespoon of milk for egg wash
sugar for topping
Place a rack in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, beat together butter, peanut butter and sugar. Beat until well incorporated and slightly fluffy in texture. About 3 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape down the bowl and add egg and egg yolk. Beat on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add the dry ingredients, all at once to the peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Stop mixer. Add pecans and remove the bowl from the mixer. Finish incorporating ingredients with a spatula. Dough will be slightly dry. That’s ok.
Divide the batter between the two baking sheets and shape dough into two logs about 8-inches long and 1 1/2-inches wide. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar.
Bake on alternating racks for 15 minutes. Switch baking racks and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking pans until cool enough to handle, but still soft. Use a serrated knife to slice biscotti about 1-inch thick. Place cut side down on the baking sheet and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Biscotti will last, in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 10 days.
dragon fruit
YUM! this looks so deliciouos. i’m currently living with a host family in portugal— to the point, i haven’t been able to cook the kinda food i like. i am living vicariously through you. bah what i would give for these and some tea.
Shauna
I read “Peanut Butter Pecan Biscotti” and immediately scrolled down to the recipe to find the chocolate. I was about to be horribly offended that chocolate had been omitted until I actually took the time to read your entire post. I’m officially a jerk, and I apologize for not realizing that you would never leave chocolate out in the cold like that.
Erin
You are too funny. That is all.
Theresa Mullen
I cannot wait to make these – These look great. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa (Dishes of Mrs. Fish)
1. I found your introduction hilarious!
2. Love these biscotti! Yum!
emily
These look delicious! Last week i made hazelnut biscotti that were SO good and the best part was that there were only 4 ingredients, so it tasted so fresh and nutty and good! You should take a look!
http://emilyspieceofcake.com/2011/01/27/hazelnut-biscotti/
Jen Z
perfect is overrated. perfect is boring. and often, sometimes, the perfect exterior belies some sort of interior crazy. not in a good way. i like coffee with the cat. you can come over for coffee if you’re ever in Portland. we just got a Chemex – makes great coffee. orange cats live here too. and now, I think i have to ditch my plans of productivity for the night and bake biscotti. damn you and your peanut butter. and believe me – there will be crumbs. you rock!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
I’m not a huge biscotti fan, but you made them with peanut butter so that is a whole different story. PS Perfect is boring
homegrown countrygirl
Lauren, You’re right. Perfect is boring.
Jessannaj
Joy, your perfect- perfectly normal… in a weird kiltered abnormal sort of way..
but seriously, biscotti that doesn’t break the teeth? mmm heavenly. I personally LOVE biscotti and RUSKS- South Aftican type biscotti. I married a South African, turned Canadian man, and he always wants me to bake up some ‘rusks’ for him… just like his momma.. I think he will love these (but seriously who cares!? I’ll eat them…with Chocoalte… I always seem to make all my biscotti chocolate covered.. like chocolate mint biscotti.. but seriously who cares!
Katy
Joy, it’s like you read my mind; I’ve been craving biscotti like you wouldn’t believe. Add peanut butter to the mix and I’m basically on my way to the kitchen right now to bake these. I’d also like to say that that plate in the first picture is absolutely gorgeous, as are most of the things you put on this blog. If you wouldn’t mind sharing, where in the world did you get it? Thank you!
joythebaker
those plates were a gift from a vintage store in san luis obispo. pretty things!
cathyb.@brightbakes
I love biscotti(and I’ve never got to make Peanut Butter Biscotti before!) and I love joy the baker…and really, what respectable baker DOESN’T have piles of cookbooks scattered on the floor? I trip over mine every morning when I crawl outta bed. True fact.
love,
cathy b.
Debbie
You are hilarious! I love it. I popped on over from a link on Elana’sPantry website.
Your photos are gorgeous too, well done. I’m now gonna go and “meet” you!
Debbie from New Zealand xx
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
I love biscotti!! These look absolutely perfect!!! And adding chocolate chips to it?? Hell to the yeah.
Eat Good 4 Life
Never made biscotti before but by looking at your pictures and the fact that they are peanut butter flavor I might venture and give it a try this week. Love your blog by the way :-)
Cookie
Oh, I’ll add the chocolate alright!
and……you are perfect, Joy……really!