Tozzetti by Laura Adamache

Tozzetti Recipe - Crunchy Biscuits with Hazelnuts and Orange Flavor

If you're looking for a simple and delicious dessert recipe that brings a touch of joy in every bite, then Tozzetti are the perfect choice. These crunchy biscuits, with a subtle orange flavor and a rich texture thanks to hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds, are ideal for enjoying alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Plus, making them is a true delight!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: Approximately 20-25 biscuits

Ingredients:
- 400 g flour
- 225 g sugar
- 200 g hazelnuts (or almonds and walnuts, as preferred)
- 35 ml oil
- 1 teaspoon ammonia
- 1 teaspoon warm milk
- 3 eggs
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 packets vanilla sugar

Step by Step:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Place the hazelnuts (or walnuts/almonds) on a baking tray and roast them for 10-15 minutes until golden and fragrant. Be careful! It's important to stay near the oven, as they can burn quickly. Once roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool.

2. Mixing the eggs: In a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla sugar. Use an electric mixer and beat the ingredients at medium speed until the mixture becomes pale and doubles in volume. This step is essential for achieving fluffy and airy biscuits.

3. Adding the wet ingredients: While continuing to mix, add the oil and the ammonia dissolved in warm milk. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. The ammonia will help achieve a crunchy texture.

4. Incorporating the flour and hazelnuts: Sift the flour directly into the wet mixture and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon. It's important not to overmix, but to ensure that the flour is well incorporated. Finally, add the cooled hazelnuts (or walnuts/almonds) and mix gently to avoid crushing the nuts.

5. Shaping the log: The dough will be quite soft. If you prefer, you can turn it directly onto a sheet of aluminum foil, then use the edges of the foil to shape it into a log. This will make it much easier to place in the baking tray. Make sure the log fits the size of your loaf pan.

6. Baking: Place the log in the baking tray and put it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and slightly cracked on top.

7. Cooling and slicing: Once the log is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a rack. After it has completely cooled, slice it into pieces about 1-2 cm thick. These slices will be crunchy biscuits.

8. Re-baking: Place the slices back on the tray and bake at 160°C for 10 minutes. This step will ensure that the Tozzetti become crunchy and delicious.

Serving suggestions: These biscuits are perfect for enjoying alongside an espresso or a fragrant tea. You can also serve them with warm chocolate sauce for an unforgettable experience.

Helpful tips:
- Ingredient variations: You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as pistachios or pecans, or you can add dark or white chocolate for an even more delightful flavor.
- Storage: Tozzetti can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks. This will help maintain their crunchiness.

Nutritional information: A serving of Tozzetti (approximately 2 biscuits) contains about 150-200 calories, making it an energizing snack due to the nut content, which provides protein and healthy fats.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I replace the eggs in this recipe?: Yes, you can try using a mixture of ground flaxseeds with water instead of eggs, but the final texture may vary.
- Can Tozzetti be frozen?: Absolutely! You can freeze the biscuits after slicing them. Make sure they are well packaged to prevent freezer burn.

Tozzetti are more than just a simple biscuit recipe; they are a warm and flavorful experience, perfect for bringing a smile to the faces of your loved ones. So, put on your apron and get ready to enjoy a delicacy that will delight any meal!