Crisp Vanilla Biscotti

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A few weeks ago (back in November) we had our third Little Flowers meeting, where the girls learned about St. Clare of Assisi and the virtue of Joy. I had a hard time thinking of a snack for this meeting. Because the girls also learned about the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, I would have liked to do something with the rosary, but with only two girls I was not inclined to make a cupcake rosary. I decided instead to focus on St. Clare's life. I chose this recipe for biscotti because it is very simple and very plain and biscotti are from Italy, like Clare. The recipe I normally use for biscotti has chocolate in it, and I wanted something simple, so I went hunting for a recipe that Charlotte posted a while back. I substituted vanilla for the anise because I thought the girls would enjoy them more, and this recipe has become one of our favorites since. I have made them several more times and I love knowing they are in the cookie jar for a quick snack with a cup of coffee.

For the Little Flowers meeting, I used a bowl of "fancy" gold and red wrapped chocolates to represent the riches that St. Clare had before she took her vows. The biscotti represented the simple and poor (but sweet!) life she had as a nun.

Vanilla Biscotti

½ cup vegetable oil
    1 cup white sugar
    3¼ cups all-purpose flour
   3    eggs
    1 T. baking powder
    1 t. vanilla extract       

powdered sugar to sprinkle

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When The cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted.

Cool completely and sprinkled with powdered sugar if desired.

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Source: allrecipes

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