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A Simple Project...and Biscotti...


 I do love my coffee...and even better with biscotti!  Recently I decided to make a decorative jar to hold my fresh baked biscotti.  You've probably seen projects like this all over the blogs and Pinterest~ here's how I did it...
I see these jars all the time in the thrift store~ they have nice airtight lids...


I wanted to make a decorative chalkboard label.  I don't have a Silhouette (but it's up there on the wish list), so I found a shape I liked on The Graphics Fairy and printed it out to a size that would fit the bottle ( 3" x 5" for this container).  You could also just freehand a pattern or shape, too...


I simply cut it out...


and using sticky back chalkboard vinyl from the craft store, (if you haven't used this, it's great for projects)


I traced around the pattern, cut it out of the chalkboard vinyl, and applied it to the bottle.


I rubbed the label with chalk and erased, for an authentic look, and then used a chalk marker to write "Biscotti".  The chalk marker won't accidentally wipe off when the jar is being used like chalk would.



Fun, huh?  As for filling the jar, I thought I'd share a recipe.  I was inspired by a wonderful gluten-free biscotti recipe on  With Style & Grace and decided to adapt it for myself.  I have been gluten-free for 2-1/2 years now.  I am very intolerant and two of my children have Celiac Disease.  I know some of you are gluten free, too, so I am sharing the brands I used (just my personal favorites- no compensation).  If you are not gluten free, just use your regular flour.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Ingredients~

  •  1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour blend (there are some great ones out there...I used Jules )
  •  1/3 cup white sugar
  •  1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  •  1/2 teaspoon baking powder (I use Argo)
  •  1/4 teaspoon salt
  •  1 lg egg, or equivalent substitute 
  •  2-1/2 tablespoons butter or favorite equivalent ( I used Spectrum Organic Butter Flavor Shortening)
  •  1 teaspoon vanilla (I used Tone's)
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips ( I used Enjoy Life- gluten, dairy, nut, and soy free)
Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Blend the dry ingredients...


Add the wet ingredients until blended...


The dough will be crumbly, but will hold together well when molded...


Blend in the mini chocolate chips with a spoon, and form into a ball...


Put it on the parchment lined baking sheet, and press out into a rectangle.  I used a little gluten-free flour on my fingers to keep from sticking to the dough.  This rectangle is approx 10" x 6" and about 1/4"-1/2" thick.
Bake for approximately 23-25 minutes at 350 degrees F. until lightly browned...


Remove from the oven, let sit a minute or two, then slice the dough approx 1/2"- 3/4" apart (or the size you want- this method makes approx 24), and lengthwise down the center.  Place back in the oven for approx 10 more minutes.
 

Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and gently lift the parchment paper over to a cooling rack.  When the cookies are nearly cool, break apart.  When totally cool, store airtight for up to 2 weeks.  Biscotti is a denser, drier cookie, which is perfect for dunking.  I love it with coffee! 




I hope you'll try it!  A BIG thank you to Lisa at With Style & Grace for sharing her recipe and technique!  I look forward to trying to create other varieties of biscotti!

I am joining the party over at The Marketplace at Common Ground this week, with some new etsy goodies.  
I'll also be joining Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday   
and Merrythoughts Merry Makes for DIY projects
Hope you'll join us!


Until next time...I'm hoping to stop by to see what some of you have been up to while I've been away resting up!  Thank you all for visiting and for your wonderful comments!

30 comments

  1. I love your biscotti jar! I may have to try your technique for adding the chalkboard label. Now you've got me hungry for a piece of yummy biscotti!

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  2. Very cute, Linda! The biscotti looks yummy too!

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  3. I'm fairly certain I have
    a similar jar ~ love this
    and need to try it!

    Also love that you are
    finding ways to indulge
    your sweet tooth that
    work with a G-F lifestyle.
    They look delish!

    Happy Sunday. Hope you
    are enjoying a big cuppa,
    biscotti and bird song!

    xo Suzanne

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  4. Your biscotti looks yummy. I don't think I've ever seen the sticky chalkboard paper, but I'll be looking for it now.

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  5. Great tutorial, Linda - and so cute! I eat biscotti once in awhile, but I don't make it myself. I get the almond with dark chocolate one from Trader Joes. :-)

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  6. Love your idea for the biscotti jar. And, the recipe looks so good and easy for the biscotti. I've never made it before.
    Thanks for you recent visit.

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  7. very nice job on both the jar and the biscotti.

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  8. Linda, I love that jar !! You are so clever...I have never heard of chalkboard paper. I like the recipe too. How nice of you to share. xoxo,Susie

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  9. Oh my word!!!! Such cuteness AND a gluten free biscotti recipe??? I think I'm in heaven.....
    I've never heard of chalkboard vinyl! Can you find it at any craft store?
    xo
    lynn

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  10. Yum! Your biscotti looks delicious, no wonder you wanted to make a jar just to keep it in. Great idea Linda.

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  11. Darling jar. Thanks for the recipe too. love your blog.

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  12. I love my coffee too and I make biscotti at Christmas. Now of course I want to make it RIGHT NOW!
    Bliss

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  13. Your jar is super cute and looks amazing with the coffee pot and mugs. So cute. I am impressed with your homemade biscotti. I was smiling too, because I am eating homemade biscott, my cousin made, for my mom's party as I read this! Yum!!

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  14. That turned out so cute...what a great idea! I love biscotti. My hubby makes a cranberry orange biscotti with pistachios. Yum! Maybe you could make that gluten free too? Have a great week!

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  15. A wonderful and yummy post dear Linda.
    The jar looks pretty, and that maTERIAL must be great working with! So sweet with the chalk marker!
    Your biscotties UHMMMMM as we say here in Denmark :-) they looks so tasty !!
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  16. Oh yum! Gluten free or not they look great! I had no idea they made chalkboard vinyl! I hate to bug you, but you talked about a chalk marker. Regular chalk is so difficult to use, I would love to find one that wrote like a marker, where did you get it? thepolkadotcloset@live.com

    Carol

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  17. I adore chalkboards and biscotti!! Pinning it to make one day with my girls.
    Kelly

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  18. I love biscotti and your recipe looks wonderful. My sis-in-law brought us a whole batch of it and I have frozen it or else I would eat it all in a few days time. I like the jar, it is perfect for the biscotti. A great look.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  19. What a lovely little label for your biscuit jar! Great idea - might have to try that diy out.

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  20. How clever! The recipe sounds delish too. Your booth at Junk Bonanza was gorgeous! Hope to get there one day. Mimi

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  21. Great to know about the chalkboard vinyl. I haven't tried that!
    Yum, looks good,
    Deb

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  22. Linda your jar is cute, cute, cute! I'm going to have to try your recipe for my hubby. He loves that sort of thing. Thanks

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  23. Very cute project. I didn't know about the sticky chalkboard vinyl.

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  24. Great idea using a chalk marker instead of chalk. And you have much neater handwriting than I do!

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  25. Great project and great biscotti, Linda. I have never had it, if you can believe that. This recipe sounds delicious and I've been toying with the gluten-free lifestyle as I hear you just feel better on it. Ann

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  26. I don't know what's taken me so long to pay your blog a visit Linda! I'm a huge fan of Brenda and saw your comment there and wanted to say 'hi'! So...'HI'! :)

    I'm not only a CLH fan, but also a biscotti fan, a chalkboard label fan, and anything French fan, so this post was the trifecta! I wasn't aware there was that chalkboard product and one of the things on my long to do list is to redo the pantry and I have visions of jars just like that neatly lining the shelves. One can dream...

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  27. I love this project. I've been collecting some jars on my thrift trips and these labels are so cute and would be perfect for them. I didn't even know there was chalkboard vinyl!
    Also, if you're interested...we are doing a craft link up on our blog (you can win free ad space), this would be great for the link up!
    http://themerrythought.com/diy/merry-makes/

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  28. Yum! and love the jar too :)

    Karen x

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