Spiced Orange Biscotti With Almonds

This easy recipe for classic Italian Biscotti with hints of orange and spices makes approximately 3 dozen cookies. Designed for bakers of all levels this recipe will impress friends and family for a multitude of occasions, and makes great gifts for all seasons. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit. Please read all instructions before beginning.

Supplies:

Oven, Cookie sheet, Aluminum Foil, Two Large Mixing Bowls, Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer, Large Cutting Board, Measuring cups and spoons, Grater or Microplane, Crisco or shortening, Double boiler or microwave safe bowl, Spoon

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Cup Slivered almonds
• ¾ Cup Softened Butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Orange
• 4 Large Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ½ Cups All-purpose flour
• ~½ Cup all-purpose flour(for flouring your Cutting board)
• 4 ½ Teaspoons Baking Powder
• ¼ Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
• ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cloves
• ¼ Teaspoon Ground Coriander
• ¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Step 1: Ingredient Preparation

Collect all ingredients before starting.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil
3. Spread slivered almonds evenly across cookie sheet
4. Bake almonds until golden brown, approximately 15 minutes
5. Remove when golden and let cool
6. While almonds are toasting, use the micro plane or grater to grate 1 tablespoon of orange peel

Step 2: Dough, Wet Ingredient Preparation

1. Combine butter, sugar, and orange peel in a large bowl and beat with the electric mixer until fluffy(Picture 1)
2. Add eggs 1 at a time, and beat well after adding each
3. Add vanilla extract and mix well (Picture 2)
4. Set aside

Step 3: Dough, Dry Ingredient Preparation

In a separate large bowl, combine and mix evenly:

• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• toasted almonds

Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Add the well mixed dry ingredients into the butter mixture from the wet ingredient preparation
2. Mix well with hands
   • Dough should be thick and ingredients should be evenly dispersed throughout(See picture)

Step 5: Forming the Cookies

1. Lightly coat cutting board with remaining ½ cup of flour
2. Divide dough into 3 even segments on the cutting board
3. Shape each segment into a long roll with a diameter of approximately 1 ½ inches
4. Coat two baking sheets with crisco or shortening
5. Spaced 3 inches apart, place 2 rolls on a cookie sheet and the last one on the second sheet
6. Flatten each roll to ½ inch thickness

Step 6: Baking Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Bake flattened rolls for 15 minutes or until golden on top
3. Remove trays with cookie logs
4. Cut rolls crosswise into ½ inch slices (see pictures for example)
5. Flip cookies cut side down onto cookie sheets
6. Return to oven until lightly brown(approximately 10 minutes)
7. Remove from oven
8. Cool

Step 7: Chocolate Coating(Optional)

Melting in the Microwave

1. Pour 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl
2. Microwave for 30 seconds
3. Remove and stir
4. Repeat until melted

Melting in the Double Boiler

1. Fill bottom pot halfway with water
2. Cover and bring to a boil
3. Insert top pot of double boiler(See picture)
4. Add 6 ounces cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to top pot
5. Stir until melted

Dip bottoms of cookies in chocolate

Place on cookie sheet lined with freezer paper

Freeze until solid

Step 8: Storage

Store in an airtight container or baggie, and freeze if storing for longer than 1 week