American-Style Vanilla Biscotti

Name: American-Style Vanilla Biscotti
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter; 2/3 cup sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 eggs; 2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Here it is, the simplest, easiest biscotti recipe you'll ever follow. Biscotti bake twice rather than once, and thus take a bit longer to start-to-finish than normal drop cookies.—Taste of Home Cooking School

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, salt, vanilla and baking powder. Beat in eggs (the batter may look slightly curdled). On low speed, add flour; mix well. Dough will be sticky.
Grease a baking sheet or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the dough on the prepared sheet and shape into a 14-in. x 2-1/2-in. x 3/4-in. log. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and reduce heat to 325°. Cool log on baking sheet for 10 minutes. Using a spray bottle filled with room-temperature water, lightly but thoroughly spritz the log. Cool 5 additional minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; cut with a serrated knife at a 45° angle into even 1/2-in. to 3/4-in. thick slices.
Place the biscotti on edge on the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until biscotti feel dry on the edges and begin to turn golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Variations: Add up to 2 cups nuts, dried fruit or chips to the dough along with the flour. Adjust the spice to suit the added ingredients. A classic Italian Anise Biscotti is made with 1/2 teaspoon anise extract and 1 tablespoon fennel seeds.

Originally published as American-Style Vanilla Biscotti in Taste of Home Holiday Recipe Card Collection 2009