Orange Pecan Biscotti

Most years, my friend Dana and I get together to do some holiday baking. This is one of her mother's recipes and is my favorite of everything we make, every year.

Orange Pecan Biscotti

2 c chopped pecans
2 1/4 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c sugar
1/4 lb butter
2 eggs
2 tablespoons orange extract
2 tablespoons orange zest

Preheat oven to 350F.

Beat the sugar and butter in a mixer until well combined.

Add the eggs, one at a time.

Stir together dry ingredients. On low speed, gradually add to the wet ingredients in the mixer.

Fold in pecans, orange extract and orange zest by hand.

Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Place each portion of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shape into a log.

Bake 35 minutes or until lightly brown. Set aside to cool. Turn oven to 275F.

When cool, place on a cutting board, and cut width wise into half inch slices, approximately 1 dozen per log.

Place back on the parchment lined baking sheets and bake approximately 30 minutes more, until golden and crispy.

Yield: 24 biscotti.