I absolutely love drinking tea, hot chocolate or apple cider in the winter time. It is so comforting and warm, and there are so many delicious flavors. My favorite treat to dip is my tea is biscotti. I decided to try to make some this year rather than buying it as I find it extremely expensive. This recipe yeilds approx. 30 pieces of biscotti. You can replace the almonds with other other nuts, chipits, or dried fruit. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup of margarine, softened

3 eggs

1 cup maple sugar

1 tsp natural vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

2 tsp milk

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together sugar and margarine. Add eggs one at a time and stir, then add vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients and mix really well. Stir in almonds (or optional nuts).

2. Line baking sheet with foil and grease the foil.

3. Divide dough in half and place on the foil in two rectangles. You can make them as long or short as you like depending of what size you want your biscotti sticks. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

4. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm to touch.

5. Remove from the oven and reduce heat to 300F. Lift foil with rectangles and tranfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Once cooled, tranfer to a cutting board and cut into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Place slices with cut side up on a baking sheet (ungreased) and bake for 10 minutes. Turn oven and bake 10 minutes on the other side.

6. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cooled you can store them in an airtight container. (optional: you can dip half of each stick in chocolate, allow to cool and then store)

7. Enjoy!

Biscotti is such a treat and this recipe make it very afforable. It makes a really nice gift if wrapped in celo wrap with a package of hot chocolate tied with a festive Christmas ribbon!

May you enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of biscotti as you reflect on the coming of our Saviour! (4 more sleeps until Christmas:)