Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Yum! You may have had biscotti at a cafe or coffee house. It is a sweet "stale" pastry bread that melts when dipped in hot liquid such as coffee, hot chocolate, or a milk steamer. This became an instant favorite in our home. How to make:

You'll make 3 separate concoctions and them mix them together:

1) Melt bitter-sweet chocolate and let it cool to room temperature (I prefer Ghiradelli chocolate.)

2) In a second bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3) In the third bowl you'll beat brown and white sugar, vanilla, almond extract, butter, and eggs.

Toast almonds (be careful - they burn easily. My second attempt with the almonds was a success.)

Mix them all together and add and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Coat in flour and mold dough into two loafs.

Bake 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool.

Slice the loafs and then re-toast them for 10 minutes on each side.

Cook completely. They will be hard, but delicious in your favorite hot drink. A perfect winter treat.

(I let Paige taste the melted chocolate; it was the first time she had encountered the rich sweetness that has bewitched so many other women, and yes, she too fell under its spell. )