| Chocolate Biscotti | |
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| prep time: 00:10 cook time: 00:40 serves: 12 -24 cost: $2.40 vegetarian |
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Biscotti are long, thin, Italian cookies with cut edges, often served with and even dunked in coffee. It's best to make them at the house of a friend, wearing only a towel. They are elegant, most people don't know how to make them, and they're simple. Don't be held back by the long list of ingredients. Most of them are optional variations |
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| 1/2 c butter 3/4 c sugar or brown sugar 2 eggs 2 T liqueur or coffee 2 1/8 -- 2 3/4 c flour 1 1/2 t baking powder 1/4 t salt 1/3 c cocoa powder 2 T sour cream (optional) 1/2 t almond, lemon, or vanilla extract (optional) 1 T cinnamon (optional) 2/3 c chocolate chips or chopped milk chocolate(optional) 2/3 c nuts (e.g. almonds)(optional) 2/3 c currants or raisins (optional) |
Mix the ingredients in the order listed. When using variations, and choosing liqueurs, the way to get classic-tasting biscotti is to use things related to lemons, oranges, coffee, and the more elegant nuts (almond, pine, hazel, and our favorite -- Mmmm -- academia). Grease a cookie sheet. Divide dough in half. Use a spatula to form each half into a long log, 1/2" high by 4" wide. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes or until slightly browned. Cool on rack 5 minutes. Now cut the log diagonally with a serrated knife. Each piece should be 1/2" wide, and since they are on a diagonal they will be somewhat longer than 4". Place upright on cookie sheet and bake an additional 8-10 minutes, again at 325. Cool on rack. Serve happily from an elegant box or jar. |