Yesterday I made biscotti with an elderly woman friend. This has been our tradition for years in December.

Delicious and a great gift!

Almond Biscotti

Makes four logs and 50 cookies

2/3 cup butter, softened
1-1/3 cups sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups sliced almonds, very finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoon almond extract (or to taste)
2-3 tablespoons milk

Beat butter with an electric beater until softened. Add 2 cups of the flour, with the sugar, salt, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, almond extract and milk. Beat until combined. Beat in remaining flour and nuts. Divide dough into four equal amounts.

Shape each portion into a 9-inch log. It should be about 2 inches wide. Place the logs about 4 inches apart on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet for one hour.

Cut each log diagonally into ½-inch-thick slices. Lay slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 325-degree oven for 12 minutes. Turn slices and bake for 10-12 minutes or until dry and crisp. Cool on a wire rack.