Christmas cookie baking day

Recipe for orange almond biscotti that I will be making later today...from epicurious.com:

3 cups all purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup sugar

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

3 large eggs

3/4 cup chopped blanched almonds (about 3 1/2 ounces)

1/2 cup orange zest
3 tablespoons almond extract (substitution)




1 large egg yolk, beaten to blend


Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 3 baking sheets with waxed paper. Lightly flour waxed paper. Sift flour and baking powder into medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until fluffy. Mix in nuts and orange zest. Add flour mixture and almond extract; beat until well blended.



Spoon dough out onto 1 prepared baking sheet, pressing to form 12-inch-long rectangle, about 5 inches wide (dough will be very soft). Place in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.



Cut chilled dough lengthwise into 3 strips. Shape each strip on lightly floured surface into 12-inch-long, 1 1/2-inch-wide and 1-inch-high log. Transfer logs to remaining 2 prepared sheets, 1 log on 1 sheet and 2 logs on second sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush logs with egg yolk. Bake until golden and firm to touch (dough will spread), about 30 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheets. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.



Using serrated knife, cut logs into 3/4-inch-wide diagonal slices. Stand biscotti slices upright on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Bake until biscotti are pale golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container.)


Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Orange-and-Almond-Biscotti-4003#ixzz1g8dbM9rl
 
I will also be making my ginger snaps and some sugar cut outs.  I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR and am having a hard time conceptualizing that we are here because of our tropical location.
 
Kathryn and I are going to story hour this morning, off to buy postage stamps (our cards finally arrived) and also to pick up a few groceries.  This evening, we are heading to the boat parade.  Our family has been invited to ride on a catamaran for the parade, but with active Osten, I think at least he and I will be spectators. 
 
Happy Saturday!