Smart Cookies: Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Biscotti

When I think college in December, I think coffee. Coffee by the gallon. While everyone is hustling and bustling getting ready for the holidays, college students are writing, researching, writing, studying, writing, and testing. This usually means lots of all nighters.

So, this month’s Smart Cookie recipe has to have the perfect combination of Christmas cheer and go great with coffee. Here is what I came up with:

This recipe is a double batch. The reason being it is so good, that there is no way you’ll be able share and not keep any for yourself. As we speak… er as I write this I am enjoying some with a cup of Mighty Leaf Vanilla Tea.

Vanilla Biscotti Dipped in Chocolate

1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbs) butter softened to room temperature
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs pure vanilla extract (I know it seems like a lot but it is vanilla biscotti)
3 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs
4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups milk, dark or semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl or electric mixer bowl on medium speed beat together softened butter and sugar until smooth. Then turn mixer to low and add salt, vanilla, baking powder. When this mixture is well combined, add eggs one at a time. The mixture kind of appears curdled at this point but this is fine.

With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour (in 1 cup increments). Mix until just combined.

Divide the dough in half and place each half on the lined cookie sheets. Using wet hands to avoid stickiness form the dough into inch high rectangle logs. Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven, and reduce temperature in oven to 325 degrees. Cut the logs into one inch wide slices, gently separating them.

Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and begin cooling. While biscotti cools, melt chocolate in glass bowl over simmering water or very slowly in microwave.

Dip cooled biscotti in melted chocolate. Let chocolate harden before serving.

This is probably one of my new favorite treats. I cannot wait to make more for a Holiday Brunch!

For other Smart Cookie recipes, click here, here, and here.

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