Nestles Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Kerena's Note:

I got this recipe many years ago when Nestle did a yearly calendar filled with recipes. You had to save up your chocolate chip bags and mail them in. This was one of my favorite recipes.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 44 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 4 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 30

Yield: 30.0 cookies

• semisweet chocolate morsel, divided
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup slivered almond, toasted
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Directions:

1. PREHEAT oven to 325°F Grease 1 large or 2 small baking sheet(s).
2. MICROWAVE 1 cup morsels in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract and almond extract until crumbly. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in melted chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm.
4. SHAPE dough with floured hands into two 9 x 3-inch logs on prepared baking sheet(s).
5. BAKE for 40 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of each log comes out clean. Cool on baking sheets for 15 minutes. Slide logs onto cutting board and cut diagonally into 3/4-inch slices. Return to baking sheet(s) cut side down. Bake turning biscotti over halfway through, for 20 minutes or until dry. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
6. LINE baking sheet(s) with waxed paper.
7. DIP biscotti halfway into Chocolate Coating; shake off excess. Place on prepared baking sheet(s). Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until chocolate is set. Store in airtight containers in cool place or in refrigerator.
8. FOR CHOCOLATE COATING: MICROWAVE remaining 1 cup morsels and 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth.