Grasshopper Mint Biscotti

Being of Italian descent you would think I grew up eating Biscotti. Well it wasn't until a couple years ago that I started making and loving it. It's such a versatile base for being creative with what goes into it. I do like the traditional Biscotti, however I've come to be a bigger fan of those that are loaded with good bits and topped with even more indulgence.

These Grasshoppers are especially nice since they are studded with mint white chocolate and laced with dark chocolate. I also tend not to over bake them so they remain somewhat tender instead of tooth-busting hard.

Grasshopper Mint Biscotti

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup cocoa powder

1 cup white chocolate mint – chunked for dough

2 cups white chocolate mint – for coating

½ cup dark chocolate chips – for drizzle

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F and place rack in center of oven.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment mix the butter and sugar until light and fluffy 3 minutes. 

3. Add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, mixing well after each.  Beat in the vanilla extract. 

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.  Slowly spoon into the butter mixture and beat until incorporated. 

5. Mix in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it in half.  Form each half into a log 10-12 inches long.  Transfer the logs to the baking sheet, spaced 4 inches apart, and lightly flatten to about 3/4 inch thick.

7. Bake until firm to the touch, about 25 - 30 minutes, dough will spread during baking.  Remove from the oven  and let cool for about 10 minutes on a rack.

8. Reduce oven to 300˚F. Carefully lift one of the logs from the parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs into slices about 3/4 inch thick on the diagonal. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and bake about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on rack.

9. Coat with melted white chocolate mint and then finish with drizzle of melted dark chocolate.