Not Without Salt

I was both honored and slightly frightened when Shauna (Gluten-Free Girl) asked me to bake a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving recipe. I’ve made a few gluten-free items before but they were completely flour-free. This time I wanted to challenge myself and have fun playing with completely new-to-me flours. I love a good challenge.

Now I understand that you may be confused as to why I chose Biscotti as a Thanksgiving baked good. Well, it may be partially because I happen to be craving Biscotti but also I do think that it is the perfect light breakfast or tea time snack to have when a rather large meal in eminent.

As I mentioned in my last post I don’t do much of the cooking on Thanksgiving. My mom takes care of the bird, my aunts bring the appetizers, others take care of the sides and my Grandma is the pie lady. Not even I can compete with Grandma’s pumpkin pie. It’s the same every year. Perfect.

But what I can bring is a little sweet snack for the busy cooks. And now so can you.

My husband was leery of my biscotti. Not because of its gluten-freeness but because he’s not a fan of the brick-like qualities of many biscotti. Hard to bite unless you let it soak in your coffee leaving you with gloopy biscotti sludge at the end of your cup. Not all bad but not always ideal.

So after biting into my biscotti his once timid and frightened face brightened as the texture was pleasantly softer than most while still maintaining the likable sturdiness associated with this Italian treat.

There was a nice crunch from the coarsely ground almonds that made up the almond flour. The cocoa powder gave a pleasant richness while not being too sweet. Really the perfect accompaniment to a good cup of coffee while taking a brief break from all the joyous cooking. And if you are planning ahead this would also make a lovely little Christmas gift along with some coffee beans perhaps.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Biscotti

1/2 cup almond flour*

1/4 cup sorghum flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup potato starch

1/4 cup brown rice flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt (I use kosher, use 1/4 t. if use regular fine salt)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup mini white chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350*. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Whisk. In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium. Scrape down the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix to combine then scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

On low speed, carefully add the dry ingredients. When almost all mixed add the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Mix to combine. Remove from the mixer and use a spatula to make sure all the ingredients are incorporate. The dough will be very wet.

Dump the dough on the baking sheet and form into a “log”.  About 6 inches wide, 12 inches long and 1 inch thick. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes. Until it is mostly firm with a bit of softness or give in the center. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Carefully transfer the log to a cutting board and cut, using a serrated knife, in bias strips about 1 inch wide. Carefully (they are quite fragile) place biscotti back on the baking sheet with the cut side facing up.

Bake for another 15 minutes until crispy. They will crisp fully once cooled.

Let cool completely before serving.

Makes about 1 dozen biscotti. Keep in an airtight container for up to one week.

*I used about 3/4 sliced almonds. I toasted them until golden. When they cooled I ground them in a food processor until fairly fine. I didn’t sieve it because I wanted some nice almond texture.

And as I’ve said before please check out Shauna and Danny’s book, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, it’s a delight for the eyes and mouth. Even if you do eat gluten you will love this book. The recipes are classic, inventive and drool-inducing.

Shauna and Danny have organized a virtual Thanksgiving feast this year. Be sure to check out all the delicious posts in the round-up and join in the fun to win some incredible prizes. Check out Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef for all the info.

And be sure to have a peak at all the other participants.

More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dishes

• Andrea’s Recipes | gluten-free pumpkin scones
• Not Without Salt | gluten-free chocolate biscotti
• Zest Bakery | warm pumpkin polenta with goat cheese
• The Mommy Bowl | gluten-free bread
• CakeSpy | turkey meatloaf cupcakes
• Blue Bonnets and Brownies | apple and pear cobbler
• Smith Bites | gluten-free celery root soup with cashew cream
• White on Rice Couple | Turkey Sloppy Joes on Rosemary Rolls
• What’s Gaby Cooking | gluten-free molasses cookies
• Kitchen Gadget Girl | gluten-free pumpkin strata
• Wasabimon! | gluten-free butternut squash pie
• Rookie Moms | chocolate peanut butter brownies
• Tiffin Tales | gluten-free Thanksgiving torte
• Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom | gluten, dairy and egg free crescent rolls and cinnamon rolls
• Eat the Love | Gluten Free Maple Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Gingerbread Bottom
• Gluten-Free Doctor Recipes | gluten-free sourdough rosemary rolls and gluten-free mincemeat cookies
• The Art of Gluten-Free Baking | gluten-free pumpkin pie
• Sophisticated Gourmet | cranberry-almond-coconut macaroons topped with chocolate
• Cook 4 Seasons | gluten-free pumpkin mousse
• Cook It Allergy Free | Cornbread and (Shauna’s) Crusty Bread Stuffing
• Lexie’s Kitchen | dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, no-bake pumpkin pie filling
• Recipe Girl | an entire Thanksgiving menu, gluten-free
• Two Peas and Their Pod | gluten-free apple cranberry crisp
• Gluten-Free for Good | gluten-free cherry cobbler
• My Madeleine | butternut squash soup.
• The Sensitive Pantry | gluten-free brown sugar hand pies
• Art and Lemons | gluten-free rustic squash tarts
• Bellalimento | Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll with Mascarpone and Nutella Filling
• Mom Food Project | an entire Thanksgiving, gluten-free
• Gluten-Free Easily | candy carrot coins
• Dish Towel Diaries | kale Caesar slaw.
• A Baking Life | gluten-free gingerbread cake
• Glugle Gluten-Free | gluten-free pumpkin muffins
• Wenderly | sweet and savory prosciutto cups
• Cannelle Et Vanille | sweet potato and crabapple clafoutis
• Food for My Family | gluten-free apple pie cheesecake
• Who Ate My Tomato | gluten-free squash tart
• What’s Cooking with Kids | gluten-free apple crisp
• Blue Bonnets and Brownies | apple and pear cobbler
• CakeSpy | turkey meatloaf cupcakes

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