Happy New Years Eve! Wishing you a safe and enjoyable evening!
WELCOME to GARDEN feature week of the January 2019 "You're the STAR" blog hop!
As the New Year approaches, many of us make a list of resolutions or promises that we vow to stick to in the coming months. These promises might only last a few days, weeks or maybe months but eventually we fall back into our old habits.
Who is the Only True Promise Keeper you might ask?
Of course the answer is our Lord God Almighty.
Answer: God promises eternal life to those who accept His gift of forgiveness and love.
God does NOT lie, therefore ALL of His promises will come true.
"For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
All you have to do is accept this gift of freedom from sin through Jesus Christ, God's only Son. Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again so that everyone who believes and accepts this gift of forgiveness will live forever in heaven.
Our life on earth is short in comparison to eternity but God is patient with us. He does NOT want anyone to perish.
However, there is a consequence if we never accept God's Salvation through Jesus Christ - the consequence is death!
Please don't let another second go by - repent, accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and live forever!
I am not from Italian descent but I absolutely adore the Italian biscotti cookie and I always experiment with new flavors each year. This year's biscotti cookie uses some leftover whole cranberry sauce.
Today, however, you do not have to buy my ebook for this festive biscotti recipe!
Begin by preparing ingredients as listed above (toasting walnuts & then chopping, blending whole cranberry sauce). In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and the sugar has been dissolved. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat just until combined. With a wooden spoon stir in the flour and baking powder. Now stir in the walnuts. On a lightly floured surface knead until smooth (see first two pictures above - the dough will start out being extremely sticky. Add a few tablespoons of flour at a time making sure NOT to exceed 1/2 cup extra flour).
Divide/cut the dough into 2 halves. Form each dough half into a log. Place the dough logs on a parchment lined cookie sheet & just slightly flatten the logs (see picture above). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 35 minutes (it all depends on the type of oven that you use) - bake until the outer layer is golden & the middle is fully baked (you might need to cut one in half if you have never made these before to make sure that they are fully baked- see sixth picture below) - do NOT overbake - it is a dense dough but you will need to be able to cut them into biscotti slices.
Remove from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes. Now begin slicing each log (see picture below) - slice at a diagonal and the pieces will be larger and more oblong.
Once you have finished slicing - return the sliced pieces to the parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes (or until very light golden on the bottom side). Remove from the oven & turn each biscotti over and bake for about 10 minutes on the other side.
Store your biscotti cookies in an airtight container in a cool dry place (I usually put mine in the garage - Michigan winters make my garage a perfect temperature for storing cookies).
Serve with a "dunking" beverage like coffee, hot chocolate or milk & ENJOY!