Christmas Biscotti

Biscotti is a twice baked Italian treat,

which gives it a long shelf life,

 and can be stored in a tin

 for at least a month.

Great to put in the mail

 to family and friends.

Good dunked in a hotdrink 

for a treat or dessert.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter,

at room temperature.

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs,

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp orange juice

2 cups plus 2 tbsp all-

purpose flour.

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2/3 cup chopped cherries

or dried cranberries

2/3 cup pecans or

your choice of nuts.

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350deg.F

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper

In a bowl with an electric mixer, or by hand, 

cream together the butter and sugar, until fluffy.

Add the eggs and beat until smooth.

Mix in the vanilla and orange juice.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour,

baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Stir in the cherries and nuts.

Add the flour mixture with the butter mixture,

just until blended together.

Transfer to a floured surface,

divide the dough in half.

Place on one of the cookie sheets

and form 2 logs approx. 2 1/2 wide

and 14 inches long.

Spacing logs about 2in. apart.

Bake for 25 minutes  at 350deg.F.

or until slightly browned.

Place logs on rack to cool about 10 minutes.

After the logs have cooled 6-8 mins,

place on a cutting board and slice 

with a serrated knife, 

about 1/4  to 1/2 inch thick.

Change oven temp to 300deg.F

Place slices on two baking sheets and

bake at 300 deg.F, for about 8-10 minutes.

to dry and toast lightly.

Transfer to racks to cool.

I adapted this recipe from a Hallmark Book.

I couldn't find dried cherries in stores here.

I used maraschino cherries, rinsed and dried

them, and chopped them up. Also I substituted

cardamon for cinnamon.

They are delicious.

Enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

💗💗💗