Chocolate Almond Biscotti

 One of J's favorite holiday treats!  Hmm, actually there isn't any reason why you couldn't have this any time of the year for a treat!  We just only have it around Christmas because it's so good it seems you should save it for something special.

The Recipe....

Ingredients...
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar (i use organic sucanat...so you can use white or brown or sucanat)
2/3 c. cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract (you could use vanilla if that's all you have!)
3 1/2 c. flour

Directions...
Beat butter till fluffy.  Add sugar, cocoa, soda, powder and salt and beat until incorporated.  Then beat in eggs and extract.  Scrape down the bowl to make sure it's mixed well.  Then beat in as much of the flour as you can.  If you have a stand mixer you should be able to do it all with the mixer, adding the flour one cup at a time until mixed.  If you are using a hand mixer then just beat in as much flour as you can...then use your muscle to stir in the rest.  Make sure it's all mixed in well.  Then stir in the almonds.

Next....place half of the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper.

Use the wrapping to make a log that is about 3inches by 12 inches.  Flatten it slightly.  Place the log on a cookie sheet.  Roll out the other half of the dough the same way and bake them at 350degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Take them out and let them cool for about an hour.  Slice them diagonally like this.

 Place the pieces carefully on their sides on the baking sheets and bake for another 8 minutes at 350.  Carefully flip them over and bake for another 7-9 minutes.  And you're done!

 Unless of course you'd like to drizzle some dark chocolate on them to make them a little extra special for your loved ones.  This makes a huge amount so go ahead and bake some up to give away this holiday!

Enjoy!