Recipe: Golden Gaming Buttered Anise Biscotti (with almonds)

BUTTERED ANISE BISCOTTI
From: Lance Marcos, Golden Gaming

4 1/2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup salted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped almonds
5 eggs
1/2 teaspoon anise oil*
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter (for rubbing on biscotti after baking)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Sift dry ingredients, add butter and mix until crumbly. Add almonds; set aside.

Beat eggs with vanilla and anise oil, add to the dry ingredients and mix to incorporate.

Turn out onto a floured board and knead until all mixed. Break into balls and roll into strips 12-inches long by 2-inches in diameter (thickness). Place rolled strips 2-inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.

Remove from oven and rub generously with stick of butter. Place on a cutting board and slice diagonally to make pieces that are about 3 inches long by 3/4-inch wide. Rub more of the butter over the cut sides. Return to cookie sheet on a fresh piece of parchment paper, cut side up.

Toast in the oven until cut sides are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool.

*Use anise oil; anise extracts do not provide the same flavor.

Source: Lance Marcos, food and beverage regional manager for Golden Gaming in Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 2, 2009