Recipe: Almond and Chocolate Chunk Biscotti

ALMOND AND CHOCOLATE CHUNK BISCOTTI

"I got a perplexing message from someone who made these biscotti: "They were good, but full of big chunks of chocolate." I'm not sure if that was meant as a compliment or a criticism, but I do know for sure that it wasn't a mistake - that's exactly what I had in mind when I came up with these super-chunky chocolate biscotti."



"They're perfect for dipping in a large cup of dark coffee or alongside a glass of Cognac after dinner. They're also great travel cookies - I'm always happy when I pull out a bag midway through a flight or train trip. I make sure to bring extras because when I see the longing looks of passengers around me, I feel pressured to share - and I do, reluctantly."

2 1/2 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups (155 g) almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
7 ounces (200 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) chunks*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and the baking powder.

In a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whisk the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until the mixture thickens and holds its shape, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture, then mix in the almonds and chocolate.

On a lightly floured work surface, divide the dough in half. Using dampened hands, shape each half into a log 3-inches (8 cm) in diameter. Set the logs lengthwise on the prepared baking sheet, evenly spacing them apart. Dampen your hands and smooth the surface of the logs.

Bake, rotating the baking sheet midway through baking, until the logs are lightly browned, about 20 minutes. (They will flatten out during baking.) Remove the baking sheet from the oven and decrease the oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer the logs to a cutting board. With a serrated bread knife, cut each log diagonally into slices 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) thick. Place the cookies, cut sides up, in a single layer on the baking sheet. (If necessary, use an additional baking sheet.)

Bake until the biscotti are firm, about 20 minutes, flipping them midway through baking. Let cool completely; they'll continue to firm up as they cool.

STORAGE:
The biscotti will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

*VARIATION:
You can substitute 1 1/2 cups (240 g) chocolate chips for the chopped chocolate, if you like, although I prefer the irregularity of chocolate chunks in these cookies.

Makes about 60 cookies
Used by permission to Recipelink.com from Random House
Source: Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz