Biscotti

prep time:: 30 min
total time:: 1 hr

Makes 1 dozen cookies

This is a great addition to any gift basket. I like to place a bag of these cookies with a pound of coffee and two coffee mugs in a tea towel lined basket and wrap with cellophane. A quick and easy “Thank you” gift for anyone!

ingredients

Basic Biscotti Batter

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Almond & Cranberry Crunch

In addition to the basic batter include:
3/4 cup caramelized almond slices or slivers (Melt 2 tbsp butter with 3 tbsp sugar until bubbly. Stir in almonds and cook until golden brown.)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Add the above after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

Espresso

Add 1 tsp instant dark coffee grounds to the wet ingredients and beat until dissolved.

“Hot” Chocolate

Substitute 1/4 cup cocoa for 1/4 cup flour. Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to dry ingredients.

Cinnamon

Sprinkle each cookie with mixture of cinnamon and cane sugar before 2nd baking.

directions

1
Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
2
Form a loaf about 6" wide and one foot long on a cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.
3
Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Slice loaf crosswise in 1" slices and evenly space on a cookie sheet. Return to oven for about 10 minutes turning halfway thru.
4
Remove from oven and cool completely before serving or packing.

Source: Lisa