Maple-Walnut Biscotti

When you have rad girlfriends (shout out Amy and Dottie!) it feels great to do nice things for them. And what could be nicer than sending a gift package of Maple-Wanut biscotti and Mexican Chili brownies? This recipe was slightly adapted from the King Arthur Flour site which has amazing recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped, toasted
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line large baking sheet with Silpat.

2) Toast the walnuts by baking in a preheated 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, till they're a light golden brown.

3) Beat together the eggs, sugars, maple syrup.

4) Add the melted butter, beating till smooth.

5) Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then the nuts.

6) Divide the dough in half on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

7) Using wet fingers, shape each half into a rough 10" rectangle, about 4" wide and 1/2" thick.

8) Bake the biscotti dough for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool for about 10 minutes.

9) Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the baked dough, slightly on the diagonal, into generous 1/2"-thick slices. Place the slices close together on the prepared baking sheet. If you can balance them upright (rather than laying them flat), you won't have to turn them during their second bake.

10) Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, till the biscotti's cut sides are beginning to brown. Remove them from the oven, and cool right on the baking sheet.

Now send most of them to your girlfriends to avoid major Biscotti coma :)