The Bartlett Inn Orange-Almond Biscotti

Yield: about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 2 large eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped
• Bittersweet chocolate, melted (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, butter, orange peel and eggs. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and almonds.
3. Shape half of the dough at a time into 10 x 3 inch rectangles and set onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.
4. Cut the dough crosswise into 1/2 inch slices and place each slice, cut sides down, on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes longer or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Cool on wire racks. Top with melted bittersweet chocolate, if desired.