Pumpkin Spice Biscotti

You know it’s fall when there is pumpkin flavored everything! And I have to admit, I don’t mind at all! I even tried my hand at making Pumpkin Spice Biscotti for the first time and it was a huge success!

I know I’ve been MIA the past month or so. We had a late summer vacation and then my little guy started Kindergarten. Boy is it weird being home alone after having little ones at home with me for the last 12 years. I almost can’t believe that the day has come. But it has and now I have no more excuses for not getting my laundry and housework done!

I’m excited to start this new little chapter of my life during my favorite season, fall. The cooler temps make me so happy and bring back the motivation that I lost during the hot summer months. I love to bake and that’s something I hadn’t done in months. I also haven’t had much motivation to do anything home decor related in my house either. In fact the mantle in my living room still has LAST year’s fall decor on it. Pretty pathetic, huh?

So, to celebrate my new found freedom and the ~~almost~~ arrival of fall, I took a little trip to Target to grab some fall decor to dress up my kitchen table and some ingredients to whip up some pumpkin spice biscotti.

I’ve never really been one to decorate my table but it was high time that I give it a try. I found some white and orange ceramic pumpkins in the dollar spot. I also picked up some place mats, cloth napkins, napkin rings and the cutest square argyle print appetizer plates.

While shopping in Target I scored some delicious Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Caffe Latte’s for the Keurig. This is actually what inspired me to make the pumpkin spice biscotti. The only thing I can think of that would make Starbucks coffee taste better is to have a little something, something to eat with it. Biscotti and coffee go together like peas and carrots so I couldn’t wait to get started on my cookies. I made myself a nice cup of Pumpkin Spice Cafe Latte and got to work on the cookies.

Making biscotti was easier than I imagined it to be. You’ll most likely have all of the necessary ingredients on hand and it’s a quick treat that you can whip up in no time.

Pumpkin Spice Biscotti

Ingredients:

4 TBSP of softened butter

2/3 C granulated sugar

1 1/4 tsp of pumpkin spice

3/4 tsp of ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 Cup pumpkin puree

2 Cups of flour

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 and grease cookie sheet

Combine butter, sugar, spices, baking powder and salt and mix.

Add egg and pumpkin and mix until combined.

Slowly add flour until it’s well combined with the rest of the ingredients.

Rub some extra flour on your hands and knead the biscotti cookie dough. You’ll want to do this so that it’s in one smooth lump.

Divide the dough in half and form 2 rectangles on the greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 25 minutes

Remove cookies from oven and reduce oven temperature to 325. Allow cookie rolls to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting them into slices. Each slice should be about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Lay cut cookies down on their sides and put back and bake for another 20-25 minutes. Be sure to turn them over about half way though.

Note: If this is your first time making biscotti, I recommend setting the timer a little under 20 minutes and just keep an eye on them. Ovens can vary so better to err on the side of caution then to burn your cookies.

Allow cookies to cool and enjoy along side your Starbucks coffee.

I have to say, it was so peaceful and relaxing while I sat back and indulged in my biscotti and coffee. I really needed that time to soak in this new phase of my life.

A little more about my table decor: I have a Target just 5 minutes away and it is my go-to place for home decor. I will go to Target first before any other place when I’m looking for something for my home. Luckily there is another Target only 30 minutes away that I can hit up if I’m not finding what I’m looking for. So, that’s just what I did. I grabbed the cute argyle appetizer plates and the absolutely adorable Monogram mug from my closest Target and then headed north. The drive is scenic and there’s not much traffic so I didn’t mind driving the extra miles to get there. After all, I did now have all of this free time on my hands with all of my children in school. (insert smirk)

I was lucky enough to snag pretty printed cloth napkins, place mats with just enough burlap shimmer to balance each other out, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Cafe Latte K-cups and ceramic pumpkins. I also snatched up coordinating napkin rings from the dollar spot. And I think what I just may have loved most about this other Target was the Starbucks right inside. My local Target doesn’t have that so this was an extra treat!

My next project? Turn my living room into a warm, inviting, cozy little place this fall to sip my coffee (and hot cocoa) in. I created a Cozy Fall Decor Capsule of some beauties that I have my eye on!