Almond Biscotti

I made these "biscoots," - as my Dad's Northern Italian family pronounces the cookie name - to add to a cookie tray a couple of Christmases ago. My Dad and my aunt absolutely loved them! My dad often rates his children's cooking efforts (5 girls, 2 boys - all like to cook) and he gave my (well, Real Simple's) biscotti an 11 out of a 1-10 rating. I've made them countless times and have even resorted to giving my dad a tray for gifts on Father's Day, his birthday, etc. The only modification I've made is that I use 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract because I, personally, do not like almond extract.

I added oats, allspice, brown sugar, raisins, vanilla extract, poppy seeds, etc. I was proud. Haha. They're great.

I made these two days ago and they're almost gone! They are delicious dunked in coffee, or even just alone. Gotta make more tomorrow, so will use cherries with no nuts because of allergies in the family.

Made the recipe adding dried cranberries. They were the hot of my cookie party, and I'm making more today. I'm with ksbaker, I will never buy biscotti again, these are so much superior to what you can get in stores.

Made the recipe adding 3/4 C dried chopped apricots. Then make another batch, using pistachios, dried cranberries and orange extract. They were both awesome and am sure I will never buy biscotti again!

Did everyone like these?