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Christmas in the Kitchen with Kirsten Buck

Christmas in the Kitchen with Kirsten Buck

by Brayden Solberg
Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti with a hot latte and holiday/winter décor surrounding the plate of treats. The plates and décor sit on a grey counter.

The holiday season is best spent with family and friends–and delicious food. Whether you are still searching for a new holiday cookbook or you’re resisting the urge to eat your 15th sugar cookie, it’s officially time to put on your apron and create your favourite Christmas treats.

We sat down with chef and author Kirsten Buck from (@bucknakedkitchen) to find out more about one of her favourite festive dishes and how our small appliances helped her create delicious Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti with ease.

Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti

Looking for the perfect mix of sweet and salty? You found it. Enjoy this mouthwatering treat while watching holiday movies with the family or serve it for your Christmas potluck, the choice is yours.

General Info

  • Quantity: Makes 10 pieces
  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Total cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup fine ground almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup whole raw almonds
  • ⅓ cup chopped dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup chopped dried apricots
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Wet Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup softened butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for melting
A series of ingredients in individual bowls such as flour, cranberries, orange zest and more. The ingredient bowls lay on a grey marble counter and are surrounded by holiday themed decor such as tree branches and twine.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer to 350℉ and line an oven baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cuisinart Toaster Oven With Air Fryer sits at an angle with the door closed and the internal light on. Beside the product sits a savoury appetizer. The product has no background and sits on a white underlay.

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Cuisinart Toaster Oven With Air Fryer sits front-facing with the door open . The air fryer tray is holding fresh shrimp. Beside the product sits a savoury appetizer. The product has no background and sits on a white underlay.

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Step 2: In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, almonds, dried cranberries, apricots, and orange zest. Mix well and set aside.

A mixture of dry ingredients such as flour, almonds, orange zest, and cranberries sit sperate sections in the same wooden bowl. The bowl is surrounded by a grey marble table as the background.
A mixture of dry ingredients such as flour, almonds, orange zest, and cranberries are mixed together in the a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon sporting a rubber head. The bowl is surrounded by a grey marble table as the background.

Step 3: Using the KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with the paddle attachment cream together the butter, oil, and sugar on medium speed until it is a soft whipped consistency. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix on medium speed until just combined.

KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer sits on a marble counter. A nad holds the trigger to start the mixer. Christmas tree décor fills the background.,
In a silver bowl (the mixing bowl) is mixed blend of the wet ingredients

Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low until fully combed.

Blurred in the top of the shot is the turning arm of the KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. In the center of the shot is the mixture of the wet and dry ingredients blended together in a silver bowl.

Step 5: Place the mixture on a well-floured surface and knead with your hands to create a smooth dough ball. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and shape the dough into a long oval shape approximately 1 inch thick.

A bird's eye view of the rolled and flattened dough sits on white parchment paper inside the baking tray.
The Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer's door is open and the machine sits on a marble countertop. The dough is inside the machine raw and waiting to be baked.

Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes, tenting with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent it from getting too dark on top. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely for at least 1 hour.

The Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer's door is open and the machine sits on a marble countertop. The dough is inside the machine and the door is closed by a hand.
A fresh Biscotti loaf sits on parchment paper baked and ready to cut

Step 7: Transfer to a cutting board and using a very sharp knife, cut into ½ inch slices- forming the pieces of biscotti.

Biscotti loaf is cut into 1 inch pieces on parchment paper. Some of the loaf is uncut.
Biscotti loaf is cut into 1 inch pieces on parchment paper. Each piece lays on its back in this Bird's Eye View.

Step 8: Place the slices back onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at the lowest setting of the Cuisinart Toaster Oven With Air Fryer - 275℉ for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until biscotti is dry and crisp. Set aside to cool.

The cut biscotti pieces are being put back inside the Cuisinart Toaster Oven With Air Fryer on a fresh parchment paper and tray.
The biscotti pieces lay flat and toasted on the parchment paper.

Step 9: In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips. Drizzle or dip the biscotti into the chocolate and set the biscotti back onto the baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

A slice of toasted biscotti is being dipped in freshly melted milk chocolate.
Multiple pieces of toasted biscotti lay on a parchment paper dipped in chocolate.

Step 10: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Multiple pieces of toasted biscotti lay on a parchment paper dipped in chocolate.
Multiple pieces of toasted biscotti lay on a parchment paper dipped in chocolate.

Now it’s time to put on your favourite holiday movie, brew a fresh cup of hot chocolate and indulge in the perfect treat to get you in the festive spirit.

Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti sits on a plate next to a clear cup of hot latte
Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti hovers over top of a clear cup of hot latte

Q&A with Kirsten Buck

We sat down with Kirsten Buck to learn more about the inspiration for this festive treat and find out how our small appliances help her creative delicious treats with ease.

Kirsten Buck holds a latte in her kitchen. cookware the biscotti and décor fill the frame.
Holiday Spice Cranberry-Almond Biscotti

Where did you find inspiration for this recipe?

Growing up, my mom would take us to holiday craft sales in the small town that we lived in. She would pick up small handmade gifts and treats, and later fill empty coffee mugs before wrapping and securing a ribbon to give to friends and coworkers as a holiday gift. This included ornaments, candies, chocolate covered spoons to swirl in your coffee, and of course - homemade biscotti! Since then, I’ve associated biscotti with the holidays and as an adult, enjoying this holiday version with warm spices, orange zest, cranberries and apricots with my coffee is comforting and nostalgic.

What ingredients should you always have on hand in the holiday season?

If you’re a baker, then the top 5 ingredients I would say to always have on hand are flour, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and holiday spices! These items have a long pantry life (freeze your butter!) and stocking them ensures that you always have the fundamental ingredients for every type of cookie, cake, muffin - you name it!

How did you get into cooking/baking/spending time in the kitchen?

My best tip would be to prepare as much ahead of time as possible! Chop fresh herbs, dice onions, chop carrots and celery the day before you plan to cook so everything is ready to go. I like to store the prepared vegetables in Ziploc bags or containers. Another thing I like to do is mince and freeze garlic into 1 tablespoon portions so I don't have to fuss with peeling and mincing for each recipe - It will be ready to pop into the pan!

It also helps to create a menu and stick to the menu! Organize the grocery list according to the menu and organize what stores you will go to and for which items.

What small appliances make the process easier for you?

The two small appliances that make the holidays easier for me are definitely my KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and my Cuisinart Compact Toaster Oven with the air fryer function. Cookies, muffins, and bread come together fast and mess-free using the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and the toaster oven can handle anything a large oven can, but it preheats twice as fast and helps me free up oven space. I usually use it to make mini quiche, roast garlic, small batches of cookies, and of course biscotti!

What is your favourite part of the holiday season?

My favourite part of the holiday season is spending time with my family. Whether it’s a holiday party, or just sitting around, relaxing, sipping coffee, and eating chocolates - we always have the best time when we come together. We play board games, watch movies, work on puzzles - it’s a time for us to all come together and just press the off switch and be present for a couple days.

If you’d like to check out more of Kirsten Buck’s recipes, you can check out her website, buy a copy of the Buck Naked Kitchen cookbook, or follow her on Instagram (@bucknakedkitchen).

Shop the Look

The holiday season calls for family time in the kitchen. Whether you are the resident taste tester or wear the chef’s hat, our small appliances can help make cooking easier, so you have more time to enjoy with your loved ones.

Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer
Air Fryers are the future of convenient cooking. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of versatility and reliability, the Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer is a great tool for the holiday season.

“The toaster oven can handle anything a large oven can, but it preheats twice as fast and helps me free up oven space,” – Kirsten Buck

Cuisinart Toaster Oven with Air Fryer with an open door and shrimp fills the air fryer basket

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KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Cookies, brownies, and sweet treats mark the essence of true holiday spirit in a home. It’s easy to bake with confidence when you’re using quality small appliances. Add the KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer to your kitchen and get a head start on festive baking.

“Cookies, muffins, and bread come together fast and mess-free using the KitchenAid Stand Mixer,” – Kirsten Buck

The KitchenAid 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer sits next to a tower of colourful cupcakes

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Next Steps

Enjoy your biscotti and browse our full selection of small appliances online or visit our in-store experts today. Book an appointment at your local store for a relaxed, no-pressure shopping experience today.

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