Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Thinking about Jane's Virtual Cookie Swap, I couldn't decide which cookie to bake and photograph. Which is my family's favorite? Of course, there is the kids' favorite, Frosted Sugar Cookies, and then there is the adult favorite, probably Chocolate Crinkles or Gingersnaps. But which one is everyone's favorite? I finally decided on the Chocolate Chip Biscotti. They almost always go first. The grown ups like them because they are biscotti, and go great with a cup of coffee or maybe Candy Cane Lane. And the kids love them because they are chocolate chip. And unlike a true biscotti, they are not need-to-dunk hard. They have more fat in them than a traditional biscotti, so while they hold their traditional biscotti shape, they crunch a little softer. (Granny won't have any trouble with these either.)

At Christmas, I sprinkle these with colored sugar, for effect. And you can vary the flavor with other ingredients. Instead of chocolate, you might use dried fruit (but why would you?). Or instead of chocolate you might use nuts (but why would you?). Or instead of chocolate you might use red and green M&Ms (well, they are still chocolate). You can also vary the flavor of the dough. For this batch I added the zest of half an orange, for just a hint of orange flavor. You could also use 1/4 t. of real orange extract, or go a different route and add 1/4 t. peppermint extract.

Chocolate Chip Biscotti

1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 t. baking powder
¼ t. salt
1 t. vanilla
½ cup chocolate chips

Mix oil and sugar with a wooden spoon.
Stir in eggs, one at a time.
Add flour, baking powder and salt.
Stir in vanilla and chips.
Refrigerate for one hour.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease two cookie sheets.
Cut dough into four parts and form each into a 10-inch log
(I do this right on the baking sheet).
Place two logs on each sheet; sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 20 minutes.
Cool; cut into 3/4-inch slices.
Arrange cut side down and bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown,
flip if necessary to get golden on both sides.
Cool completely.

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