Almond Chocolate Chips Biscotti

This is the "improved" version, and I think final version since so far everyone is happy with it:

Carebear finished hers on her way home (it's a very tiny pack, but at least it was okay to be eaten in one go)

Gave this to my boss as CNY gift and he said it was the best he ever had. Wah... I love this recipe!

Must remember to get feedback from little bro. For sis, her gift pack consist Almond Raisins Biscotti, was too sleepy that night, so didn't take picture of them.

A few notes for myself:

Must fully grease the baking sheet so that I can use the baking sheet to shape the log. If the baking sheet is not greased, the biscotti mixture will be too sticky and will not come off clean from the baking sheet.

This is the improved shape.

Chocolate chips is definately a better idea, the "arrangement" looks more organized.

Must use serrated knife to make life easier.

And for the slicing to look neater.

This thickness should be better, not too thin because the biscuit doesn't contain much if too thin, plus they get burnt easier when baking for the second time.

The chocolate chips when cool, will melt in your mouth when you eat these biscotti.

Pineapple Tart

One of my major "project" for CNY (started last year) is pineapple tart. It was an experiment last year, inspired by SB. I had quite a few inquiries last year after giving them out as CNY gift, but couldn't fulfil those requests due to lack of time. This year, I face shortage again, in fact, there is no pineapple tart in this house. Yeah, the production house has no pineapple tart to feed the member in its own house, on the first day of CNY! Need to produce more soon.

Individually shaped

Ready for the oven

Baked pineapple tarts

Packed

Made some smaller boxes as well - MC ordered some as gift-away for her colleagues. The pineapple tarts were wrapped together with a packet of Almond and Chocolate biscotti. That was also my gift to Little Bro.

At the end of last weekend, I've made 8 large boxes and 5 small boxes of pineapple tarts; 4 butter cakes; 2 batches of biscotti and some mini cupcakes.

Last Day!

Yay! My last day of work before the looooong break. Before I wind down for CNY holidays, I still need to bake tonight, I am banned from the kitchen on Wendesday as mum wants the house (every corner) to be sparkling clean with no further pollution. Looks like I won't be sleeping tonight.

As it is, I'm so tired already, went to BC last night and it felt like I've done 10 classes. Could hardly lift my limbs and I was loosing concentration as soon as the class started, didn't even have the energy or sense to do my kiahs. But overall the class was not doing that well with shouting actually right? Situation became better when teacher start cueing the class for when to contribute to the kiahs by saying "guys", "ladies", "guys", "ladies", "me"... Also, the class was missing our cheer leader. Get well soon Farid, take care and hope to see you at gym soon.

Skipped the conditioning and cool down, really couldn't summon more energy. Besides, I still needed to put icing on 3 cakes mum "ordered", so I thought it would be a better idea to leave early. Before I went off, passed Carebear her CNY present (a very small one lah) and I, repeat, you looked a bit terrible lah dear, take care and please do something about it! Included also the Banana and choc chips muffin and thank god the feedback was ok. I had another one reserved for the banana-craze-LGM, but was told she's sick - get well soon dear. Hope you won't miss the next round of banana bake though. Yeah, so I ate that muffin myself lah.

Today should be quite relax, bosses will not be around. Too bad I'd forgotten to bring my camera memory card, otherwise I suppose I could upload all baking blogs by end of today. So looks like some catching up with Facebook-ing then :p.

Behind Time!!!

I'm seriously behind time with my orders/ requests.

Spent quite a long time waiting for my car actually, an hour plus could have given me time to make the other biscotti and at least 3 more doughs for the pineapple tarts. Humphhh... Tomorrow I need to send my car for tyre change. Spent RM822 today for the car (timing belt due) and tomorrow potentially another RM700 for ALL four tyres!!! I have to delay my new year resolution for 2 years (the one that says "I shall not overspend on my credit card).

On top of the spending, I've not gotten new clothes or shoes for CNY. Went to Jusco for late night shopping - they open till midnight from now till CNY - very crowded for that hour, I was there till 11.30pm. Though glad that the shopping hours were extended, but seriously, one will look like a zombie for shopping at such late hour. Zzzzz...

Tomorrow very busy, but need to go out for a while to get some supplies.

Revised Timetable...

Feb 1 - The result...

Mini cupcakes - 3 2 orders made
Butter icing - 3 2 portions made
Pineapple tart dough - enough for 15 3 boxes (!!!!)
Biscotti - Almond & Chocolate - 1 portion (but half rejected!)
Biscotti - Almond & Raisins - 1 portion

 

Feb 2

Icing cupcakes - 1 box

Chocolate Cakes - 2 1
Chocolate cupcakes - 2 boxes
Baking pineapple tarts - 4 boxes (192 pieces)

Biscotti - Almond & Raisins - 1 portion

Biscotti - Almond & Chocolate - 1 portion

Pineapple tart dough - enough for another 7 boxes (min)

 

Feb 3

Baking pineapple tarts - 5 boxes (240 pieces)
Icing chocolate cake - 1
Icing cupcakes - 1 box
Packing CNY gift aways

Banana and Chocolate Chips Cupcakes with Honey Glazing - simply baking

I was baking my mini cupcakes, and got lazy with the last bit of the cake mixture. So I thought I will just make them into large cupcakes, save time.

Don't know why mum have been buying bananas for the past 2 weekends at the market (indirectly influenced by Carebear's LGM, haha...) So, I mashed one banana into the last bit of the cake mix, added some chocolate chips, baked and drizzled with honey. Hence the "simply" baking statement.

Not sure if it's nice, but I only have four, does anyone wants to volunteer as taster?

WHOOPSSSS....

I forgot all about mum's order!!! Add another 3 butter cakes with butter icing onto my timetable.

HAPPY CNY to you too gymaddict! Thanks for dropping in here.

Cheeky Gal can QC all you want, but erm... I got an "in-house" QC already --> MC. :p

Yes yes MC, you will be useful IF you are at home lah.

HAPPY CNY EVERYONE!!!

Not yet CNY, but I'm suddenly in that mood. :)