Orange Biscotti

These crisp, crunchy cookies are based on the classic Italian version. These contain no nuts and are a slightly softer than the original version, which makes them more child friendly (mine adore them!). Try them with your mid morning cup of coffee..

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 20 cookies

Ingredients

• 2  ounces unsalted butter
• 3 1⁄2 ounces light muscovado sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  orange (rind and 2 tsp juice)
• 6  ounces self raising flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1  pinch cinnamon
• 2  ounces polenta

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to gas 3/160°C/325°F.
2. Grease a baking sheet.
3. Beat together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat int the egg, then the orange rind, juice, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and polenta.
4. Tip the mixture on to a lightly floured surface and knead. Place dough on the baking sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand to make a rectangle approx 25 x 18 cm.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and leave to stand for 5 mins until slightly cooled. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the mixture widthways into thin sticks about 1 cm wide.
6. Space the cookies out slightly on the baking sheet, then bake for a further 20 minutes until crisp.
7. When cool, dust with icing sugar.