From University to Retirement: Gingerbread Biscotti

Christmas spirit is in the streets so it is only necessary that the smell of gingerbread be in my house :)

Dry:

2 1/4 quinoa flour
1 1/4 whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
5 tsp ginger
3 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp chia seeds

Wet:

3 eggs beaten
1/3 cup coconut oil melted
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup white sugar

Add ins:

1/3 cup Crystallized ginger chopped (I didn't have any left for this batch)
Almonds 3/4 cup

Icing:

1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
3 tsp almond milk (added one at a time)

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in large bowl. Add in options now. (I ground my own quinoa flour)

2. Mix wet ingredients in separate bowl. Beat eggs first then add molasses, sugar and melted coconut oil.

Note: Yes coconut oil is a solid at room temperature and is high in saturated fat but no this is not bad. While it is true that coconut oil contains 90% saturated fat, 45% of that fat is lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that converts in your body to monolaurin. Coconut oil is more easily digested than other fats and is used by your body differently than other fats. Most fats are stored in your body's cells, but the fat in coconut oil goes directly to your liver where it is converted into energy. Further with its high smoking point, it won't turn into a trans fat when you are cooking/baking with it. Read more on the benefits here! Plus it tastes delicious!!!

3) Add Wet to Dry. Cut mixture in half to make two loaves. Your mixture will be sticky when you try and handle it. This is normal. I never said this was clean baking... :)

4) Slightly oil pan. Plop, yes plop, half of mixture on one side of pan and shape into retangle. 1 inch thick, 4-5 inches wide, 7-8 inches long. Repeat. Sprinkle loaves with touch of cinnamon. Put in 325 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes. Until loaf centres are solid to the touch. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 300 degrees.

5) Cut loaf horizontally into thin slices with serrated knife and place back on baking pan. Put in 300 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until crisp. Turn once during.