By Sophie

  • 100 g chopped almonds
    200 g gluten-free plain flour, plus extra for dusting (I used Doves Farm)
    1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
    ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    200 g brown sugar
    30 g dark chocolate (over 70% cocoa solids), optional
    1 large free-range egg
    1/2 cup chopped dried figs
    1 teaspoon chai spices or 1 chai tea bag (cut open the bag and use loose spices)
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    Almond milk or any other type of milk- optional

Spread out the almonds on a baking tray, then place in the hot oven for around 5 minutes, or until golden. Leave to cool, then roughly chop – you want nice chunks so don't chop them too finely

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and the chopped almonds and figs. Finely chop and add the chocolate (if using). Beat the egg in a separate bowl, add then whisk well until light and frothy. Gradually add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring continuously until you get a firm dough, adding a small splash of milk to bring it together, if needed.

Line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper. With lightly floured hands, halve the dough, then shape each portion into a cylinder, roughly 30cm in length and 4cm thick. Place them onto the lined baking tray, making sure they have enough room to spread out as they cook.

Bake for around 25 minutes, or until lightly golden, then allow to cool for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 150ºC/300ºF/gas 2. Transfer the biscotti to a board, then use a serrated knife to slice it into rounds at an angle, roughly 2cm thick. Place on the tray, cut-side up, then bake for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Serve with a nice cup of coffee, or wrap in cellophane, secure with ribbon and give them away as a super-cute gift.

You can substitute almonds for any other nuts such as pistachios, hazels, pecans...