I have been away from my blog for most of the month for a couple of reasons…but first let me share these deliciously simple tropical biscotti with you!
Last weekend we celebrated my beautiful, bright and vivacious daughter’s birthday. It was such a fun filled evening spent with close family members and only about 35 amazing friends of hers…lol.
She chose to organize her own birthday bash and did so very well I might add. From choosing the restaurant, the menu and the D.J. We dined on Moroccan food and danced the night away to a tropical themed birthday party.
She also opted out of a traditional birthday cake and instead requested mini vanilla cupcakes with a buttercream frosting and chocolate cream cheese cake pops, dipped in yellow candy melts.
Inspired by the tropical theme, I made dozens of the these light and crisp biscotti, studded with sweetened flaked coconut, diced crystallized pineapple and chopped roasted almonds. Truly wonderful flavors of the tropics in every bite!
These tropical biscotti are incredibly easy to make. No stand mixer is required. Just two bowls, one for stirring the dry ingredients and the other to whisk together the wet ingredients which are then combined together in one bowl to form the biscotti dough. Now, some might find rolling the dough into logs a bit tricky but what helps is having your work surface and hands dusted with flour. Also make sure your cookie sheet is ready and nearby to quickly transfer the rolled logs effortlessly and don’t worry if it is a less then perfect log because it will spread anyhow during the first baking.
I am often asked how to get ends that do not break off while slicing. First thing is that I only let them cool 15 minutes before slicing. This way they are still warm and more pliable to a sharp knife. Pointing the tip of the knife down and slicing in one fluid motion also works best for me and because these tropical biscotti are not the rock hard variety I do not use a serrated knife.
These tropical biscotti got rave reviews at my daughter’s birthday party! Although they will keep well in an airtight container for up to two weeks they will disappear oh so quickly!
Now, on a slightly different note. I embarked on this blogging journey one year ago, shortly after my mom passed away. It is a wonderful learning experience and I feel extremely blessed to share my space with the blogging community. However just this past summer my dad was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer which simply means a cancer that originated in the lungs and spread to other parts of the body. I mention this because I may not be able to share recipes as frequently as I wish to because his health is deteriorating.
But rest assured, I will be back as often as I can…
Tropical Biscotti
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup roasted almonds coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 2/3 cup chopped crystallized pineapple
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- For brushing:
- 1 beaten egg white
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325*
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt with the chopped almonds, coconut and chopped pineapple pieces.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, egg, egg white and both extracts then stir into the flour mixture until thoroughly combined.
- transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide equally in half. With lightly floured hands roll each half into a log about 12 inches long . Transfer to the prepared cookie sheet. Brush the logs with the beaten egg white.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the logs are golden brown. Let the logs cool for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the logs one at a time onto a cutting board and slice diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces.
- Return the sliced biscotti to the baking tray, laying them upright. Place the tray back into the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or just until they start to brown around the edges.
- Let the biscotti cool completely before storing in an airtight container. They will keep for about two weeks.
Hello Marisa,tku for another amazing and delicious recipe!!! Biscotties are a favorite at our place,they seam to dissappear faster than I can make them, a perfect desert with coffee! And may I add that this blog has brought big tears to my eyes!!!!may God guide your dad in serenity, love, and in a painless path ,as he one day will join up with his loving wife(your mom)! Take the precious time with him! Ciao love you!
Thank-you so much Carmie for taking the time to comment, your support means a lot! You are so thoughtful! xxx
The biscotti looks delicious and is photographed beautifully…So sorry to hear about your father…will be praying for him and your family for healing – we will all be here when you return… 🙂
Prayers are very much appreciated and thank-you for the kind words Linda! xxx
Marisa, Great job! I like all of the photos!
Thank-you Min!
My thoughts are with you. And thanks for the recipe, looks delicious
Thank-you so much!!
Marisa, your biscotti looks wonderful … thank you so much for sharing. I am so very sorry to hear about your father — please know that we are here for you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, dear Marisa.
Thank-you Anna, that is very sweet of you and your prayers are very much appreciated!
You are so right Nadia and thank-you so much for your kind words…it means a lot!
Thank you for sharing this painful information. I’m sorry to hear about your mom and dad. Stay strong. Your family will be in my prayers.
Thank-you so much Magda, That is very kind of you. xxx
first a very lovely recipe and presentation! The tips are great too! I am so sorry to hear about your father! I am here if you need me! I have been wondering where you were and hoping all is well with you and your family! Much love and a huge hug from me dear Marisa!! xxx
Thanks Lynn, your kind words mean a lot to me! I am taking it day by day and will be checking my reader daily… I do not want to miss anything and will be back posting recipes every chance I get. Big hugs…xxx
Hugs dear xxx
Biscotti is one of my favorite things! These look beautiful!
Me too! I always sensed we were souls sisters Sadie…lol
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Beautiful biscotti, Marisa…Love this tropical twist! Love, prayers & blessings to your father, Hon. God’s blessings to you & your family…we love you, Marisa <3
Thank-you so much my dear Lana xxx
What a creative twist on an Italian classic – Tanti Auguri to you daughter!
Mille grazie bella ?
You have been missed….so very sorry about your father….you are in my thoughts and I will be sending peaceful energy your way…..and wow what a great recipe…sounds like your daughter had a great BD…..again so sorry about your dad…XXX kat
Yes, my daughter had the best BD! Thank-you so much for your kind words, I appreciate it xx
I’ve never made biscotti. Something to rectify. Your pictures are lovely.
Thank-you Sally 🙂
Marisa I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Enjoy the time with him as much as possible and take care of yourself too.
I loved the flavors of this biscotti. I love any biscotti lol. It’s probably my most loved cookie and I always have some in the cupboard. Best with a hot tea after dinner 🙂 I am definitely trying these ones!
Renee xo
Thanks Renee, that is very kind of you. Enjoy the biscotti, these are great dunked in a cup of tea. xxx
What yummy looking biscotti’s!!!These definitely are something delicious that I need to try.. thanks for the idea!
You are very welcome…enjoy!
Wow! I thought the secrets in making these made dead. I’m so glad to have found this post, thanks!
I’m so sorry to her about your dad’s condition, hope he’ll feel better soon.
Thank-you!
Marisa,
I am sorry that i had missed this post.Your recent biscotti post led me to this super yummy and picture perfect biscotti post.
I hope your dad is doing okay. It must be such a difficult time for you.You are in my thoughts.
Take care,
Sandhya
Thank-you Sandhya but sadly my dad lost his battle with cancer in February. It was a trying time for us but he led a full life and now is at peace…watching a loved one suffer is the hardest part!! xxx
I am so sorry to hear that Marissa. But I agree with you that we do not want to see our loved ones suffer. I lost my dad last year in March, so I can relate.
Hugs,
Sandhya
So sorry to hear about your dad Sandhya! One is never really ready to lose a loved one, sending big hugs your way!!!
Thanks so much Marisa.
xxx
Marisa – I just found your amazing blog. I want to say I am hoping all the best for your Dad. That the doctors can give him the best possible care. Your biscotti looks amazing. You are a wonderful photographer.
Thank-you so much for dropping by and leaving a sweet comment! Sadly my dad passed away, he is now at peace! xxx
Oh Marisa. I am sorry for your loss. Sending you a big hug.
Thank-you xxx
You left out of your recipe when to add the sugar.
Hi Gail, I’m glad I checked my messages just before heading out the door. Thanks so much for letting me know and my apologies if it inconvenienced you in any way! Just updated!