I have two treats that I have been making for years that I want to share for this Holiday Season. I do not want to spend a lot of time making sweets for Christmas so I usually make Biscotti and Russian Tea Cakes then everyone is happy.
Biscotti
2 large Eggs
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Oil
1 Tbsp Anise Extract
(I also add a tsp or more of Anise seeds because I like the flavor)
11/2 tsp Baking Powder
11/2 Cups Flour
Powdered Sugar
Preheat Oven 350
Spray cookie sheet with Pam
Whisk eggs, sugar, oil and extract in large bowl until well blended. Stir in baking powder then flour until combined. (at this point you can add 1/2 cup sliced almonds if you like)
Spoon half of the dough onto the cookie sheet making an oblong 11 x 3 or so shape. The dough will spread out and that is fine.
Bake 18-23 minutes checking at 18 min. so it does not burn.
If you have two cookie sheets bake both halves at the same time or one after the other if not.
Cool about 5 Min. slide off cookie sheet onto cutting board. With large long knife cut into slices. I just lightly push down with the knife as the dough is soft.
Lay slices on their sides on same cookie sheet bake 350 for 6 min. turn onto other side and bake another 6 min.
Cool and dust with powdered sugar store in container or freeze. You can also dip one end into melted chocolate if you like.
Russian Tea Cakes
1 cup Butter
1 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 to 1 1/2 cup Pecans Chopped Fine
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 cups Flour
Preheat Oven 350 F.
Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beat until well blended. Stir in the flour and pecans.
Shape into 1-inch balls place 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
Bake 10-14 minutes
Roll while warm in remaining powdered sugar.
Cool on wire rack then roll again in powdered sugar.
However you celebrate I want to wish you a Happy Holiday and Wonderful New Year!
