chocolate almond biscotti

It's really hard for me to end a meal without something sweet - and if it's chocolate? Even better. I made a batch of this chocolate almond biscotti and one {or two ... let's be honest} is just enough sweet chocolaty goodness to satisfy my dessert cravings. Some people have a strong aversion about adding nuts to desserts - if you're one of them {we can't be friends} and you can just leave them out. I kid about the friends things, my mother hates nuts in her desserts and we're still quite close :)

Here's what you'll need... 
1/2 cup of slivered roasted almonds
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup of sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups of flour (plus some for your working surface)
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of cocoa powder


Here's what to do...
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place the butter in the bowl of a stand up mixer and beat for 2 minutes. Add in the sugar, and beat for another two minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue beating, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla extract. 
Add the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Beat until the mixture is combined. 
On a well floured surface, divide the dough into two equal sized parts. Shape into logs that are about 1 inch thick and 5 inches wide. Place onto baking sheet and bake for about 25-35 minutes until firm to the touch and baked through. 
Remove from the oven and let cool for about five minutes. Cut into 1/2 inch thick slices and place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake for an additional 5 minutes (until they are lightly toasted). 

P.S. stop by next week to lots of photos from our wedding day. 

I'll be sharing all of the details during a little wedding week on the blog!