Almond Chocolate Biscotti

Lisa Pizza's Note:

There's nothing better than a hot cup of joe and a crispy biscotti. Unless, of course, you're enjoying them at a cafe in Italy! :) I was always intimidated to make these, but found them to be a sinch to make and can't wait to try them again.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 18 cookies

• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup sliced almonds , toasted
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
• 3 large eggs

Directions:

1. Have all ingredients at room temp.
2. To toast almonds, heat oven to 300 degrees F, place single layer of almonds on sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes.
3. Watch carefully as nuts burn quickly.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
5. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and cocoa.
6. Whisk to combine.
7. Add almonds and stir to mix.
8. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and extract at medium speed.
9. Add the eggs and beat until smooth- 2 minutes.
10. Using a large spoon, stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture until just combined.
11. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
12. With well floured hands (you will get sticky), shape the dough into a log 13 inches by 2 1/2 inches wide.
13. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
14. Transfer the log to the paper.
15. Gently flattern and reshape the log to 14 inches by 3 inches and 3/4 inches high.
16. Bake the log until it is dry and slightly firm to the touch- about 30-35 minutes.
17. Remove the pan from the oven to a cooling rack.
18. Reduce oven temp to 275.
19. Allow the log to cool for 15 minutes.
20. Carefully place log onto cutting surface and peel away parchment and put paper back on sheet.
21. With a serrated knife,'saw' the log into 3/4 inch slices- about 18.
22. Place the slices cut side down onto baking sheet.
23. Bake until dry and crisp 30-35 minutes.
24. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely- 1 1/2 hours.
25. They will continue to harden as they cool.
26. They will store in an airtight container for one week.
27. Optional: Drizzle thin streams of melted chocolate onto one end of the cookies.
28. Mandatory: Dip prepared cookie into steaming hot coffee and enjoy!

Reviews

[Mysterygirl]

I offered to make cookies for someone and they mentioned biscotti - I was like - excuse me???!!!! So, I bravely came out here searching for a recipe and this is the one that I ended up selecting and I'm glad that I did. They are very tasty and crunchy and they were very easy to make. Now - to see if I can ship them with out destroying them and all will be perfect. Thanks for making my first experience with biscotti such a positive one! :)

[spatchcock]

These are the best! I made them last weekend and gave a few away around the department. They were a huge hit--perfect flavoring, especially with the toasted almonds and the extract, and perfect texture. Thanks so much--I'll make these a lot!!!

[RecipeNut]

Lisa Pizza, this biscotti was very good. What I did was when you put them in to bake the second time on the side I added 10 minutes, making it 25 minutes . I also turned them over and baked another 25 minutes on the other side. Came out crispy the way biscotti should be. Thanks so much for this recipe ; )