Most of you know my brother, Tom is over in Afghanistan working as a contractor since business is slow in Greenville, South Carolina.  I've been sending him fun care packages that include snacks, clothing, and other requested items.  Now that we are settled in, I am sending him a package today.  It contains homemade biscotti.  The recipe below is courtesy of Epicurious, one of my go to websites for recipes.

Double Chocolate Walnut Biscotti

2 c. flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 stick (6 T) unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. chopped walnuts or almonds
3/4 c. chocolate chips
Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour a large baking sheet or use a silpat.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and beat together.  Stir in flour mixture to form a dough (a little crumbly).  Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.




On prepared baking sheet with floured hands, form dough into two slightly flattened logs, about 8 inches long by 2 inches wide.  Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.  Bake logs 35 minutes or until slightly firm to the touch.  Cool for 5 minutes.

On a cutting board, cut biscotti diagonally into 3/4 inch slices.  Arrange cut side down on baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. 



I like this recipe because it's easy to make, and I generally have all of the ingredients on hand.  If you like your biscotti a little more moist, don't bake it the second time and shave off a few minutes on the cooking time.