Walnut Biscotti

Yield: about 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped

Instructions

1. In a bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
2. In another bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter.
3. Add the sugar, a little at a time, then beat the mixture until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the orange peel, vanilla extract and almond extract.
5. Beat in the flour mixture until just combined.
6. Stir in the walnuts.
7. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for several hours or overnight.
8. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two cookie sheets.
9. Divide dough into 3 pieces. Using lightly floured hands, roll each piece into a log 1 1/2 inches wide. Transfer two logs to one cookie sheet, spacing 5 inches apart. Arrange the third log on the second cookie sheet.
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
11. Let cool slightly on the sheets, then cut logs crosswise into diagonal slices 3/4 inch thick.
12. Turn slices cut side down on the cookie sheets and bake until golden brown — about 15 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.
13. Store in airtight containers.