Orange Almond Chocolate Chip Biscotti

"I make this biscotti for my cousin's Birthday present every year.  It's delicious dipped in your morning coffee or in a glass of ice cold milk!"

Dough should resemble chocolate chip cookie dough.

Form dough into 2 rectangles on large cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or I use my silpat or silicone mat to prevent sticking. 

After first baking time, slice biscotti with a bread or serrated knife.

After slicing, lay biscotti cut-side down on baking sheet for final baking.

Semi-sweet and vanilla chips with shortening ready for melting.

Place waxed paper underneath biscotti that has been placed on cooling rack.  The waxed paper will catch chocolate that drips off biscotti when drizzling.  This will make clean-up much easier!   

Drizzle biscotti with chocolate.

Ready for munching!

RECIPE:
1 cup sugar
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
3 to 3-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
6 ounces or 1/2 bag of miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together sugar and butter.  Add  eggs and extracts and mix until combined.  Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.  (I always start out adding only 3 cups of flour and checking to see how dry the dough is.  If the dough is too wet, then I add the other 1/2 cup of flour.)  Stir in chocolate chips.

Divide the dough into two equal portions.  Roll out each portion and shape into 10x3 inch rectangles and place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Cool on baking sheet for 15 minutes.

Cut each rectangle crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.  Place slices cut sides down on cookie sheet.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until light golden brown.  Remove from the cookie sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.  Drizzle with Orange Almond Chocolate Drizzle (Recipe follows).

Orange Almond Chocolate Drizzle:
6 ounces or 1/2 bag of miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon orange extract

Melt chocolate chips with shortening in a saucepan on low heat.  Remove from heat and add extracts.  Drizzle over cooled biscotti.

TIP:  I have also used white chocolate chips to make a drizzle for the biscotti.  It's really yummy when you drizzle the biscotti with both kinds of chocolates!