Christmas Biscotti

Christmas Biscotti

1/2 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons anise extract

6 large eggs

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups diced candied mixed fruit (fruit cake mix) I used the whole container

1 cup sliced almonds

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Blend in eggs and anise extract.  In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the egg mixture and blend well.  Add about 1/3 cup flour to the candied fruit mix to keep it from clumping and add the fruit and almonds to the dough.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill dough at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 (if your oven runs hot, 325, mine runs cool)

Divide the dough into two even portions.  Put each portion on a parchment lined baking sheet. Pat each portion into  a log about 12 inches long and about 3 inches wide.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes. Slice on the diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Place the slices, standing up, on the baking sheet.

Return to oven and bake for another 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Cool on racks.  Store in airtight containers.

Freezes well.

Makes about 5 dozen biscotti.