chocolate almond biscotti.

Chai Chocolate Almond Biscotti
Prep time: 15 mins. Total time: 70 min.
Makes 36 biscotti.

1/2 c. unsalted butter, @ RT
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp each ground cardamom, cinnamon, and salt
1 c. slivered almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With an electric mixer, beat butter with sugars until pale and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.

2. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, spices and salt. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in almonds. Shape cookie dough into 2 logs and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving 3 inches between logs. Press lightly to flatten slightly. Bake 40 mins. Remove from oven.

3. Reduce oven temperature to 325F and line a second baking sheet with parchment paper. While still warm, slice 1/2-inch biscotti on the bias with a serrated knife. Place on baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 mins until lightly browned around the edges. Biscotti will firm up further as they cool.

Taken from an Our Compliments Inspired magazine.
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I made a few changes to this recipe. I used light becel margarine, pure vanilla extract, removed the ginger and cardamom (I didn't have any at the time), and added 1 tsp nutmeg and ~1/4 tsp cinnamon.

I beat the butter and sugar by hand, and I still don't have a baking sheet or parchment paper, so I used glass casserole dishes covered in tinfoil, and sprayed with cooking spray. I don't have a serrated knife, so I used a small steak knife to cut the pieces, which may have been why I ended up making, like, 15 biscotti from a recipe that says it makes 36.. oops! Needless to say, they weren't 1/2 inch thick!

I tried some tonight with coffee, and decided that I may decrease the nutmeg to 1/4 tsp (it was a bit strong) and include the ginger. Yummy though!

I may need to work on my photography skills .. also, I can't figure out how to get the time stamp off my digital camera.. another puzzle to solve!