Virtual Cookie Exchange

Michelle had a great idea of having a virtual cookie exchange since a bunch of us live far away from each other and can't have a real cookie exchange. This is probably better for the waistline anyway.

To be honest, I'd forgotten all about it until Kathy said the deadline was coming up. I was tempted to just share this picture of a bag of goodies I got at work. I'd show you what's inside but I've eaten about half already. The gal did a great job, she had sugar cookies, gingersnap, a cake pop, and some banana bread.

I'd thought about sharing the whipped shortbread recipe which Teresa and I both adore, however, I got caught up in the excitement of recipes on-line and I had about a dozen eggs I wanted to use up in baking. The whipped shortbread doesn't even want to see an egg.

So I decided on biscotti. This year because I didn't bake as much, so I decided to go the extra mile and dip them in chocolate.

This is what I've done for Christmas baking for this year. Obviously I didn't fill up the counters with dozens of varieties like years past, which brings me to the obvious question:  what the heck was I thinking in previous years?

Biscotti

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

4 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. grated orange rind

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup toasted almonds, chopped coarse

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

In large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and foamy. Beat in orange rind and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients. Stir in almonds.

On greased and floured baking sheet (hah!), shape dough into two (14" x 2") logs about 4" apart. Smooth tops and sides with a rubber spatula.

Bake at 325F for 30 minutes or until firm and golden. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 275F. Cool for 10 minutes.

Slide a metal spatula under logs and transfer them to a cutting board. With a large chef's knife, cut logs diagonally into 1/2"slices. (The best way to do this it to place the tip of the knife on the board, then press down firmly. This will cut cleanly through the almonds and the cookie will be less likely to crumble.

Stand the slices upright (not on a cut side) on baking sheet about 1/2" apart.

Bake at 275F for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted.

The other ladies in this group have wonderful blogs the rest of the year as well. Check out their cookies and other wonderful posts at:

Alina

Carrie

Kathy

Michelle 

and last, but definitely not least,

Teresa

Not all cookie posts are up quite yet, but they will be soon!