~Jelly Bean Leftovers

By Kimberly Lainson

Don't know what to do with all those jelly beans left over from Easter? Well writer Kimberly Lainson does! Here is her recipe for jelly bean biscotti!

Biscotti is an Italian cookie
The name means "twice-baked/cooked." This has been my favorite type of cookie since I was very little! Please read through instructions completely before starting and have all your ingredients ready - it mixes up very quickly!

Ingredients:
13 oz. bag of jelly beans (can be more or less)
3 cups flour - all purpose
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup sanding sugar (can be more or less or left out completely)
Parchment paper (optional - but makes it much easier to remove cookies and clean up is easy!)

Note: I took out the black jelly beans because the boys don't like them!

Directions:
Biscotti Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl or electric mixer bowl - add the butter and sugar and cream them together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about two minutes). Add one egg and beat to incorporate, add second egg and incorporate then add third egg and incorporate. The fourth egg is used later.

Beat in the vanilla then add the baking powder, salt and flour, beating on low speed until fully incorporated - you do not want to mix too long. Notice that the dough is very soft and sticky.

Biscotti Using a spatula, scrape the dough out of the bowl onto a floured surface. Put flour on your hands and sprinkle flour on top of the dough. Then cut the dough in half. I use my hand like a karate chop down the center. Next take one half and roll lightly back and forth making a rope - pick it up and place it on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Don't be worried if the dough is so soft it bends when you pick it up. Once you place it on the parchment paper you can shape it a little more. Do the same with the second half.

Biscotti Flatten them out on top a little with your palm. Next beat one egg in a bowl and using a brush - brush them all over to coat them evenly.

Biscotti Now sprinkle with sanding sugar (optional)

Then place in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until they are slightly golden brown.

Biscotti When done - remove them from the oven. Let them cool for about 10 to 20 minutes or until they are cool enough for you to handle.

Biscotti Place them on a breadboard and slice them like shown in the photo - crosswise on the diagonal into about 3/4 inch slices.

Biscotti Put them back on the cookie sheet (inside up) and bake for another 10 to12 minutes until the edges are turning slightly brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire rack to cool. Enjoy!