Cherry & Almond Biscotti

My mom and I are both earlybirds. Ever since I can remember, whenever I wake up and come downstairs, she is always sitting and reading with a cup of coffee at our kitchen table. She makes me a cup, I sit with her and we chat and enjoy the morning together. This is probably the thing I miss most when I'm away in school- sharing lovely mornings with my mom.

Me, my mom, and her mom.

Happy Mother's Day! To my own amazing mother and all mothers out there. 

In her honor, I made these cherry & almond biscotti to enjoy with her morning cup of coffee. Biscotti is one of her favorite treats and the tart cherries and nutty almonds make the perfect flavor combination! So mom, I love you and these are for you.

Along with this song :)

Cherry & Almond Biscotti (loosely adapted from Susan's recipe)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp ener-g egg replacer
6 tbsp water
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla 
optional: 1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 cup almonds, slivered or chopped
1/2 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped

1. Preheat your oven to 350º and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk together the egg replacer and water in a measuring cup until it begins to thicken, then add it to the flour mixture along with the maple syrup and vanilla. Fold in the cherries and almonds. If the dough is too dry to form it into a ball, add water, one tablespoon at a time (I had to add 2).
3. Form the dough into two logs, about 2 inches wide and flatten them onto your baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

4. Cool the logs for about 10 minutes, then using a sharp knife, very carefully cut the biscotti into 1/2" wide slices on a diagonal. Arrange the slices on the sheet face up and put back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove, flip the biscotti, and bake more 10 more minutes. Let cool for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy dunked in your morning coffee!

What is your favorite thing to do with you mom?

And now it's crunch time.

Yes, I am talking both about my finals and biscotti. Double crunch.