Orange Almond Biscotti I - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Beat sugar, butter or margarine, orange peel and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and almonds.
Shape half of dough at a time into rectangle, 10 x 3 inches, on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet for 15 minutes.
Cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place slices cut sides down on cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes or until crisp and light brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.