I am so hooked on biscotti. It is so much fun to make and give as gifts and just have around to nibble on with my Dr Pepper or coffee (which is for Randy as I haven’t acquired a taste for java, except at Christmas when I LOVE to go get Gingerbread Latte from SB while out Christmas shopping). I remember years ago a lady in Randy’s office sent home some biscotti and I remember thinking, “wow, she must be a fantastic baker to make biscotti”…actually it is one of the easiest things to make. You can almost never mess it up. So if you have never tried to make it, start your trip down Venice Blvd. with this recipe. It is sure to please.
6 tables unsalted butter, softened
2 cups flour (all purpose)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teas salt
1 teas baking soda
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped almonds (or pistachio nuts)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cherry flavored craisens
1 teas almond extract
Heat oven to 350. Butter and flour a baking sheet; set aside
In a medium bowl, which together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and extract and beat until well combined. Add flour mixture andy stir to form a stiff dough. Stir in nuts, chips and cherrie craisens.
Transfer dough to prepared baking sheet; form into a slightly flattened log, about 12 by 4 inches. (It kinda looks like a flattened football shape)
Bake until slightly firm, about 25 min. Cool about 5 min. Reduce oven to 300 degrees.
On a cutting board, using a sharp knife, cut each log into 1 ” thick slices. Arrange biscotti cut sides down, on baking sheet and bake until crisp but still slightly soft in the center, about 8 min. Serve with coffee, hot tea or like me, just grab a slice every time you walk through the kitchen.
Chocolate Castles 