Best of Cleveland 2017: Biscotti

We can thank an episode of The Great British Baking Show for giving us our latest foodie obsession. Earlier this year, local baker Sarah Alessi was watching contestants on the BBC baking competition make biscotti when inspiration struck. “I’ve literally never made it before,” she says. “I was like, I could make this work. How is no one doing fun, creative biscotti flavors?” The next day she started Flaner Bakery and tried her hand at traditional recipes such as almond with a chocolate drizzle and orange zest and cranberry. But she quickly expanded her ingredient list to create an endless array of fun flavors ($1.50 each) such as cinnamon bun, and a gin and tonic version, which pairs a lime biscotti with a juniper berry glaze. Alessi has even grown to appreciate the tradition behind the classic biscuit. “It’s just such a beautiful practice of taking a second and turning everything off,” she says, “and dunking your biscotti in your coffee and enjoying what’s happening around you.” instagram.com/flanerbakery