Vegan Almond Biscotti

I loved biscotti before I became vegan, so I was thrilled when I found this version in "Nonna's Italian Kitchen", a vegan Italian cookbook.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 40 biscotti

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups  unbleached cane sugar
• 3⁄4 cup  smooth unsweetened applesauce
• 1 -3  tablespoon  vegetable oil
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups  almonds, toasted and chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven the 325°F.
2. Lightly oil two cookie sheets.
3. Use double layer shiny ones, if you have them.
4. If yours are very black, line them with foil.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, and salt.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, applesauce, oil (1 TBS for a hard biscotti, 2-3 TBS for a softer biscuit), and extracts.
7. Stir the sugar mixture into the flour mixture, add the nuts; finish mixing with your hands.
8. With floured hands, shape the dough into two 3-inch wide "logs" about 3/4 inch thick, with the ends squared off.
9. Place these on the cookie sheets.
10. Bake the logs for about 25 minutes.
11. Remove the pans and reduce the oven heat to 300°F.
12. Cool the logs on a rack for 15 minutes.
13. Cut the logs carefully with a sharp knife straight across into 1/2 inch wide slices.
14. Place the slices cut side down on the cookie sheets (you can remove the foil, if using).
15. Bake 5-10 minutes, or until golden on the bottom.
16. Turn the slices over and cook 5-10 minutes more, or until golden on bottom.
17. Cool on racks, then store airtight for up to two weeks.