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.
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.
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.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low until fully combed.
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.
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.
Step 7: Transfer to a cutting board and using a very sharp knife, cut into ½ inch slices- forming the pieces of biscotti.
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.
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.
Step 10: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
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.
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.
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
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
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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