Rustic Orange Pistachio Biscotti with Cranberries

December, for me, usually represents a touch of indulgence.  Somehow because it's the "holiday season" I give myself permission for that 3rd or 4th cookie on the plate, the extra cheese and crackers with my wine, and one more piece of Mom's Rocky Road Candy that I'm devouring even though it's safely hidden in the freezer.  Knowing I really won't get back on the full healthy eating track until after the New Year, I try to add healthier ingredients where I can, and I'm feeling pretty darn good about these Rustic Pistachio Biscotti.

Biscotti, with their low fat content, tend to be a healthier choice when cookie indulging, but adding nuts, cranberries and whole wheat flours to the mix makes them an even better choice in my book.

Receiving a care package from the lovely people at Hodgson Mill, their box arrived just in time for my baking duties for a fundraiser for Liv's high school dance team where these biscotti received the ultimate compliment.  Set out as part of an array of treats for an afternoon fashion show and tea, one of the grandfathers in attendance proclaimed these biscotti "The best treat on the table!"  As my heart swelled with pride, I felt pleased knowing these treats brought a healthier cookie choice to the event.

Choosing Hodgson Mill's White Whole Wheat Flour, I feel I can easily incorporate whole wheats into my baked goods while still keeping the treat, well... sweet.

White whole wheat is named for it's lighter color, and while it's actually tan, the flour lends a lighter, whiter color than its red-colored cousin.  Milder and sweeter than the red wheat, I use the white wheat frequently in cookies, pancakes, muffins and other baked good where I don't want a heavy wheat look and/or flavor.

Hodgson Mill is a flour I often turn to as I know their flours have no added chemicals or preservatives and they aren't bleached.  Stone ground at Hodgson Mill's mill, this whole wheat flour includes the entire healthy wheat kernel including the bran, germ and endosperm bringing fiber along with all the nutrients, protein and minerals the wheat plant grew.

Want to try Hodgson Mill flours for yourself?  First off Hodgson Mill is offering a $1.00 off coupon for a 5lb bag of flour or cornmeal, but better yet, they have provied us the opportunity to run a giveaway in celebration of their 25 Days of Grain Holiday for a prize pack filled with Hodgson Mill goodies (Gluten Free option available - Prize valued at $25).

~ Hodgson Mills #GRAINholiday Giveaway ~

The Fine Print...

• No purchase necessary
• Open only to residents of the United States (no P.O. Boxes please...)
• Duration:  Wednesday December 4rd through Tuesday, December 10th at noon PST
• Use PromoSimple Widget to enter
• Winner will be selected by PromoSimple within 48 hours of the sweepstakes closing and contacted by email. Winners have 24 hours to respond to their notification email to claim their prize. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen. All prizes will be awarded.
• Prize Description:  
  Whole Wheat Prize Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 2LB bag Whole Wheat Flour
  ·         1 bag 9-Grain Bread Mix
  ·         1 box Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         1 package Steel Cut Oats
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
  
  OR
  Gluten Free Assortment:
  ·         A copy of the Hodgson Mill Cookbook
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Brown Rice w/ Golden Milled Flax Seed
  ·         1 box Gluten Free Sweet Yellow Cornbread mix
  ·         1 package Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix
  ·         1 package Quinoa & Brown Rice (Garlic and Herb flavor)
  ·         A variety of promotional products spatula, measuring spoon, pizza cutter
• Giveaway sponsored by Hodgson Mills
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

I can't tell you how envious I am of the lucky winner here... I'd love to see a copy of that cookbook!  For additional info and ways to win Hodgson Mills products be sure to check out their "25 Days of GRAIN Holiday” Sweepstakes!

Rustic Orange Pistachio Biscotti with Cranberries
Perfect any time of year, but particularly festive with their green pistachios contrasting with the ruby cranberries, these rustic, whole wheat biscotti make a nice treat with your morning coffee.  Or afternoon iced tea... or before bed glass of milk, etc. etc. etc.
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2 cups Hodgson Mill all-purpose flour
1 cup Hodgson Mill White Whole Wheat Flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs orange zest
1/8 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup shelled pistachios (ours were lightly salted... add a dash more salt if your nuts are not salted)
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350º.  Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper, or alternatively spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder, orange zest and salt.  Whisk to combine and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the three eggs along with the sugar.  Blend until well incorporated, about 1 minute.  Add the vanilla extract and mix for a few more seconds.

Add the flour mixture to the bowl along with the pistachios and cranberries and mix just until incorporated.

Pour the dough onto a work surface, and knead a time or two to fully combine.  Divide dough into 2 equal portions and form into two 10-12 inch logs on the prepared baking sheets.  Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned, rotating baking sheet once after 15 minutes to insure even baking.

Remove the biscotti from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch (or slightly thinner if desired) slices.  Transfer the cookies back to the prepared baking sheet and stand them up... Basically cutting the log into slices, then just spreading out the slices, but not laying them down on their side.
 

Reduce the oven temperature to 300º and bake the biscotti for another 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer biscotti to a wire rack for cooling.  Note that the cookies will crisp as they cool.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week... though I can't vouch for the freshness at that point as ours never lasted more than a few days...  Enjoy!