ALMOND CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Have all ingredients at room temp.
• To toast almonds, heat oven to 300 degrees F, place single layer of almonds on sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes.
• Watch carefully as nuts burn quickly.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and cocoa.
• Whisk to combine.
• Add almonds and stir to mix.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and extract at medium speed.
• Add the eggs and beat until smooth- 2 minutes.
• Using a large spoon, stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture until just combined.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• With well floured hands (you will get sticky), shape the dough into a log 13 inches by 2 1/2 inches wide.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Transfer the log to the paper.
• Gently flattern and reshape the log to 14 inches by 3 inches and 3/4 inches high.
• Bake the log until it is dry and slightly firm to the touch- about 30-35 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven to a cooling rack.
• Reduce oven temp to 275.
• Allow the log to cool for 15 minutes.
• Carefully place log onto cutting surface and peel away parchment and put paper back on sheet.
• With a serrated knife,'saw' the log into 3/4 inch slices- about 18.
• Place the slices cut side down onto baking sheet.
• Bake until dry and crisp 30-35 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely- 1 1/2 hours.
• They will continue to harden as they cool.
• They will store in an airtight container for one week.
• Optional: Drizzle thin streams of melted chocolate onto one end of the cookies.
• Mandatory: Dip prepared cookie into steaming hot coffee and enjoy!