Biscotti

This is one of my favourite deserts ever.  The biscotti I made has walnuts, zest of lemon and orange, and vanilla.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour (I like to use cake and pastry flour, the person that originally gave me this recipe said she liked to use unbleached flour because it blends quickly, or just use all purpose flour :)
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. zest from 1 large orange and/or lemon
• 1/2 cup vegetable or sunflower oil
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or powder
• 1/2 tsp almond extract or some other flavourful liqueur of your preference
• 1 cup chopped toasted almonds (toasted almonds have more flavour)
• 1/2 cup chopped milk or dark chocolate (chocolate chips are fine)
• Parchment paper (this is important because it prevents the cookies from burning)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir together and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed until they are thick and light in colour. This takes about 3 minutes on my mixer.
3. With the mixer on medium add the oil and extract flavours.
4. With the mixer on very low (or just use a wooden spoon, this is what I do), start to add about 1/2 the flour mixture and then turn off the mixer.
5. Now add the zest of orange, the zest of lemon, the nuts and chocolate and stir with a wooden spoon. The dough will be pretty sticky and stiff. Set aside and let rest for about 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Line 1 flat baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a flat spatula pick up about half the dough in the bowl and drop it on one half of the cookie tray. Star to shape it into a long skinny log which is about 2 inches thick. Use the spatula to shape and smooth the dough.
7. Now make the second log on the other half of the tray.
8. If you like, you can sprinkle some sugar or sprinkle decoration on top of the logs.
9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes in the centre rack.
10. When baked to a golden colour, take biscotti out of the oven and slice the logs to create biscuits. Put back in the oven for a few minutes to let the biscuits harden.

There are many other flavours you can make with this recipe. Here are some other flavour ideas:

-To make chocolate biscotti, use 1/2 cup less flour and add about 1/3 cup of cocoa.
-You can also add dried cranberries instead of almonds and chocolate.
-Hazelnut and chocolate is also very good
-A splash of dark coffee for flavouring
-They are also still very tasty with just plain vanilla.