Butter-less and Fatless Almond Biscotti

Thats right! No butter or oil required to make these biscotti. And whats more, it requires very few and simple ingredients.

I made myself a cup of coffee this morning and reached into the cookie jar only to find that it was empty. Well, not really empty...there were some digestive biscuits that my hubby eats, says its healthy and all that...I don't like the taste..

After scanning through various cookie recipes in my head and a quick look at the ingredients in my larder, I zeroed in on one of my favourite healthy biscotti.

I have used almonds here but cranberries, mixed nuts or dry fruits will also turn out great. Choco-chips can also be added.
Almond essence, if added should only be a few drops. More than a few drops can be over-powering.
I love using orange zest because it lends a light and fresh aroma.

Ingredients:

1. Flour   250g

2. Baking Powder  1 tsp

3. Castor Sugar  110g

4. Almonds (blanched or with skin)  100g

5. Eggs  3 no

6. Vanilla Essence  1 tsp

7. Almond Essence (optional)  few drops

8. Zest of one orange

9. Salt  1/4 tsp

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 150*C.

2. Lightly roast and coarsely chop the almonds.

3. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and almonds in a bowl.

4. In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the rest of the ingredients.

5. Pour this egg mix into the bowl of flour and mix till you get a dough. The dough will be sticky!

6. Divide the dough into two halves, roll each on into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

7. Bake them for 30 mins or until it is firm to touch.

8. Remove from the oven, let cool for at least 10 mins and then cut diagonal slices of 1 cm thick.

9. Arrange the slices on the baking tray and re-bake for 10mins on each side or until slightly golden.

Since these biscotti are made without butter or oil, they are not going to be soft like the melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Best way to eat a crunchy Biscotto is by dunking it in your coffee...!!