Biscotti Paradiso

Cioccolato Paradiso Biscotti

Biscotti with toasted almonds, orange peel, and milk chocolate - heavenly! I got up at 5am to make these special Christmas biscotti for my friend Mollie, who expects them this time of year and how could I disappoint her?

1 1/2 c slivered or sliced almonds

1 stick unsalted butter

1 c sugar, divided

3 eggs, separated

2 t vanilla

peel of an orange, diced fine

3 c King Arthur flour

2 t baking powder

dash vegetable salt

1 pack milk chocolate chips

Place nuts in oven or toaster oven set at 350 and toast until gently brown. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate so they don't continue to cook.

Preheat oven to 350.

Using a mixer, beat egg whites til soft peaks form and add 1/2 c sugar, continue to beat until sugar has been incorporated. Scrape out onto a plate and set aside.

In same mixing bowl, mix butter and 1/2 c sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in egg yolks, vanilla, and orange peel. Add flour, baking powder , and salt. It will be crumbly. Fold in meringue(egg whites), almonds, and milk chocolate chips. Mix until it clings together - it will be sticky. Fit foil to a baking sheet, scoop spoonfuls of dough into two lines - two logs, really. When you have two long, skinny logs, pat with hands so they look neat. They should be about

2 inches apart. Pat the ends so they are squared off. Place in oven and set timer for 30 minutes. (My biscotti rarely seems to be done then) - the biscotti should be done when you smell the wonderful aroma, and the logs are golden . If you press your fingers into the top of the logs, they should not be squishy.

Remove to baking rack. When they've cooled somewhat, take a serrated knife and slowly but firmly cut off biscotti slices. As you cut, place cut biscotti on another baking sheet. When all the biscotti has been cut, place pan in 300' oven for another 15 minutes. This is the twice-baked part that develops some crunch.

Cool biscotti and remove to a rack to cool. If you plan to give them in cello bags, wait until they're totally cool, or you'll get condensation.