Biscotti with Lavender and Orange

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup almonds toasted sliced
• 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 0.3 cup butter softened
• 2 large eggs 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 1.5 tablespoons lavender fresh coarsely chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon orange rind grated
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup sugar 
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Equipment

• baking sheet
• oven
• wire rack
• hand mixer
• serrated knife

Directions

1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended.
2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat until blended. Stir in almonds and vanilla.
4. Using floured hands, shape dough into a 10-inch log on a lightly greased baking sheet, and flatten to 1-inch thickness.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
6. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 30
7. Cut log diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices with a serrated knife, using a gentle sawing motion.
8. Place slices on an ungreased baking sheet.
9. Bake at 300 for 20 to 25 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool).
10. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.