Almond-Orange Biscotti Recipe

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our New Year's was very quiet this year. We went to my hubby's parents place in New Brunswick and visited with his brother and sister-in-law til about 10:30 PM, then we got it in our heads that we would drive the 45 minutes to town to go for some Chinese food...a tradition that we used to do here in the city before we had kids. Well, apparently we forgot that we were in the sticks, cause not one restaurant was open! Well, we found Boston Pizza was open, this was at 11:30 PM, but not one car was in the parking lot except a few that obviously belonged to staff since they were all covered in snow from the snow earlier that day. We opted not to go in...especially after seeing the movie 'Waiting' and seeing what some waiters do to people that comes in close to the end of shift. LOL :) So we just ended up going back home and having a snack and watching tv for a bit before we called it a night. I did buy a really nice dress for New Year's that I didn't get to wear, so we're gonna get a sitter soon and go out anyway. Just have to decide where I want to wear a red, backless, floor length evening gown! I'm thinkin' I'd be overdressed for night at the movies! lol :)

I've had a few requests for my recipe for Almond-Orange Biscotti cookies that I make for my Father-in-Law, so here it is if you'd like to try it for yourself. I used to be a pastry chef at a restaurant in Halifax and I got the recipe there. It's super yummy and great for dipping in your tea or coffee. I'll make some more soon and I'll add a pic of it on this post for you to see.

Almond-Orange Biscotti

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tbsp. grated orange peel
3 large eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat sugar, butter, orange peel, almond extract and eggs in a large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and almonds. Shape half of the dough at a time into 10" x 3" rectangles and set onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.

Cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices and place slices, cut side down, on the cookie sheet. Bake for about another 10 minutes longer, remove from oven, flip the pieces over so the other cut side is facing up and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Cool on a wire rack.

These also freeze very well, if you'd like to save some for later, just thaw as you need them.

Optional: Top with melted bittersweet chocolate.

Enjoy! :)