Greek Biscotta with Anise and Cinnamon

Greek Biscotta with Anise and Cinnamon, Paximadia. An amazing recipe.

I added cranberries with the walnuts and the mistake I made was not spreading these evenly. Very nice subtle spice flavors. The baking process of Greek biscotta is very similar to Italian biscotti. The biscuits are baked twice to perfection, first in a log shape and then in slices.
The combination of vanilla, anise, cinnamon and walnuts make these biscotta very aromatic and flavorful. Store-bought versions don’t come close.

Ingredients

• 2¼ c. (560 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ c. (180 ml) sugar
• 1½ tsp. (7.5 ml) baking powder
• 1 tsp. (5 ml) cinnamon, ground
• ½ tsp. (2.5 ml) salt
• ½ c. (125 ml) vegetable oil
• 3 eggs, beaten
• ½ tsp. (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ tsp. (2.5 ml) anise seed
• flour for dusting
• ¾ c. (180 ml) walnuts, chopped
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 2 tsp. (10 ml) sesame seeds

Method:

Use a wooden spoon to combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre.
Add the oil, eggs, vanilla and anise seed. Use your hands to mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
The dough that forms should be moist and light brown in colour.
Transfer the dough to a lightly dusted work surface.
Divide into two equal pieces.
Use a rolling-pin to flatten out one piece until it’s about ¼-inch (6-mm) thick.
Top the entire surface with half of the walnuts.
Roll the dough back up and shape it into a log measuring 12-inches (30-cm) long and ½-inch (12-mm) thick.
Repeat with the other piece of dough.
Place the two logs on a rimless baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the top of each with beaten egg yolk.
Sprinkle the logs with sesame seeds.
Bake in an oven preheated at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes until lightly golden.
Transfer the logs to a cooling rack.
Cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a cutting board and use a serrated knife to slice the logs into 1-inch (2.5-cm) thick slices.
Lay the cookies flat on the baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes.
Biscotta can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.  Makes 24.
Variations: You can always add different fillings to your biscotti.
Cranberries, almonds, pistachios or chopped dried figs are all wonderful ideas.”
Recipe courtesy of: BETTY, ELENI AND SAMANTHA BAKOPOULOS
Prepared, tried and tested by: Belinda Sharples

Addendum: Belinda Sharples

‎Well I experimented with the Greek biscotti.
Instead of rolling out the dough then putting on the fruit then rolling into baguettes I added the fruit into the dough.
I patted it into a baking pan sprayed with coconut oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Then more seeds on top. Bake as per the recipe.
Cut into squares when cool and bake low low.
Absolutely divine and easy peasy.
This batch could have done with more fruit. Just chuck it in.
No idea how much but don’t really think you could put in too much.
Oh and I used brown sugar and a teaspoon more of aniseed.
Good luck.