HOLIDAY BISCOTTI RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.
• Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
• Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.
• Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes. 
• The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and almond extract; mix well. Add melted chocolate; beat until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Stir in almonds.
• Divide dough in half on lightly floured work surface. Roll each half into a log, about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Transfer logs to greased baking sheet. Flatten logs slightly.
• Bake 40 minutes or until logs spring back when lightly touched. Cool logs on wire rack 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Transfer logs to cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut logs diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place slices, cut sides down, in single layer on baking sheets.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp. Remove biscotti to wire racks; cool completely. Store in airtight container up to 1 week.