Tart Dried Cherries

Dark Chocolate Tart Dried Cherry Biscotti

Ok ok, I know I am slightly, no totally on a biscotti kick. I am utterly and completely in love with not only the simplicity of this cookie, but also the tenacity and survival skills it has. A biscotti can outlast a sugar cookie, a salted caramel cookie, a brownie, you name it. In the world of survival of the fittest, the biscotti reigns supreme.

This biscotti combines a simple dough with the integration of tart dried cherries and really dark chocolate.

Now, in my brain, dark chocolate, especially 90% dark chocolate is not sweet at all, and has antioxidants, and over all is healthy (er) than say, a snickers bar…though if I can incorporate a snickers into biscotti, I will.

The unsweetened cherries (which are a perfect snack food on their own) chopped up give the extra chew and slight sweetness to match the cookie base and dark chocolate melty chunks.

This was by far the driest (though I don’t really let them get that dry), crunchiest of my biscotti, and I am not sure why. I pretty much keep a hawk eye on the oven, and even though I timed it- the make up of these cookies make them more traditional on the biscotti spectrum. I also decided to melt dark chocolate chips (which were a lower percentage and therefore sweeter though still

less than semi sweet) to drizzle, which balanced out the flavors.

If you are a dried tart cherry fan, which I am, you will love the slight chew and dark jewel tone of the cherry bits offset by the melted dark chocolate. This biscotti could have even gotten away with a few crushed sea salt flakes on top, just to add a little more, if you are looking to go there.

I feel like compared to the chocolate peppermint biscotti, these seem more on the healthy side…even though there is butter and sugar and chocolate involved. In any event, eating one of these won’t leave you feeling un-satiated when it comes to the dessert realm. Nothing is worse than a dessert that seems healthy and still makes you sad when you taste it. I repeat, melted dark chocolate chunks = no disappointment.

This biscotti recipe will keep for more than a week in an airtight container, and will freeze beautifully as well (don’t do the drizzle until after you thaw.

If you are looking for a valentine sweet that is not so sweet, this may be the dessert for you.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Chrissy

Click below for a printable recipe!

Dark Chocolate Tart Dried Cherry Biscotti

Print Recipe

• Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ Cup Butter
• 1 Cup Sugar
• ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
• ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 3 Eggs
• 2 Cups of AP Flour
• ¾ Cup Dried Tart Cherries, chopped into small pieces
• 1 Bar (3.5 Ounce) 90% Dark Chocolate, chopped fine

Drizzle (optional)

• 1 Cup Dark Chocolate morsels
• 1–2 Tablespoons of shortening

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325*
2. In a mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and combine.
4. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt to mix, then slowly add flour.
5. Mix well and fold in cherries and chocolate.
6. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into two logs approximately 8-10 inches long.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
8. Remove tray from the oven and allow to cool for ten minutes.
9. Slice at an angle approximately one inch thick.
10. Replace biscotti on the cookie tray slice side down.
11. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes, flipping over after approximately ten minutes to cook on both sides.
12. Remove biscotti from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack completely.
13. If you want a little extra, melt some dark chocolate chips with 1-2 Tablespoons of shortening and drizzle on one sliced side of biscotti