Biscotti Toscani

Biscotti Toscani

1/2 cup whole almonds
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place nuts in shallow pan and bake 8- 10 minutes,untill golden brown.Let
cool.In mixing bowl cream butter and sugar untill light and fluffy.Beat in eggs,
vanilla,almond extract and orange zest.In a bowl combine flour,baking powder,
nutmeg and salt.Add to the creamed mixture,mixing untill blended.Cut almonds
into halves or thirds and fold in.Divide dough in half. Place on greased and floured
baking sheet and form into two logs about 1/2 inch thick,1 1/2 inches wide and
12 inches long, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.Bake in the middle of preheated
oven for 25 minutes or untill a light golden brown.Transfer from baking sheet to rack.
Let cool 5 minutes.Place on a cutting board.With a serrated knife slice diagonally at
45 degree angle about 1/2 inch thick.Lay the slices flat on baking sheet and return to
oven for 10 minutes,turning over once,to dry slightly.Let cool on rack.Store in a tightly
covered container.
makes about 3 1/2 dozen biscotti.