Healthy Biscotti

 Recipe by Geniale Genie

INGREDIENTS

• ¹⁄₄ cup light olive oil
  
• ¹⁄₄ - ¹⁄₂ cup sugar (depending on chosen flavours and personal taste)
• ³⁄₄ teaspoon almond extract
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
• 1 ¹⁄₄ teaspoons lemon juice
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups whole wheat flour
  
• ¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour
  
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• ¹⁄₂ cup dried cherries, chopped (or cranberries)
  
• 1 cup slivered almonds, broken up

DIRECTIONS

• Blend oil and sugar. Mix in extracts, lemon juice and zest; add eggs. Beat until creamy and light.
• Combine flour, salt, and baking powder; gradually stir into liquids.
• Work in cherries and nuts by hand.
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• On a lined baking sheet, form dough into two logs (12 x 2 in) - if dough is too sticky, wet hands with cold water.
• Bake 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow to cool or 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven to 275°F.
• Cut logs diagonally into 3/4-inch think slices; lay on their sides on same baking sheet. Return to oven another 8-10 minutes, or until dry.
•  These are very versatile, feel free to mix and match flavours. Here are a few ideas: coffee liqueur/hazelnut/dark chocolate chips, cranberry/orange/pistachio, orange/walnut, date/hazelnut, pineapple/coconut, vanilla/white chocolate chips/Macadamia nuts, etc. etc. Cooling time is included in cooking time.