Something Simple Yet Delicious

Lets start with somthing simple, but so good you will become addicted.

These biscotti (cookies) were among the frist recipes that I learned as a child. It is a simple basic recipe--(Ricetta Base per Biscotti).

When I was growing up my grandmother would make this recipe every week. But she did not use measurements. She measured with a variety of wooden spoons, the palm of her hands, certain drinking glasses, etc. It wasn't until years later that my mother and I did a lot of "hit and miss" batches of cookies until we finally "Hit" the right measurements . My grandfather and my dad became the official taste testers for all our efforts. I remember those years with warm memories and the laughter that went with all the hits and misses.

So put on your apron and lets get started.

Basic Cookie Recipe

4 eggs
1 1/3 cups of shortening (Crisco)
9 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 lbs unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/3 cups of sugar
1 oz Anise extract

In a large mixing bowl with a dough hook on low/med speed
Mix flour, shortening, sugar and baking powder well
Add eggs and half the milk and mix well
Add flavoring and remainder of milk as needed
Continue to mix untill dough is silky. But don't over work
Remove dough from bowl and knead just to form a smooth round ball
Again Don't over work dough
Roll out the dough to desired thickness (appromx 1/8 inch )
With your favorite cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes
Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet
Bake in a moderate oven 350 degrees F. for 10 to 15 minutes depending on thickness of cookies
When done wait a minute or so before removing from cookie sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting
Yeild: Depends on the size of cookie cutters

Frosting:
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tblsp Anise extract
Cold water as needed

Mix sugar and extract, adding enough water to spread easily
Frost cookies when cool
For variety, add a drop of food coloring to the frosting
While frosting is still "wet" on the cookies you can sprinkle colored sugar,
chocolate jimmies, etc on the cookies
When frosting is dried make a big cup of cappuccino (Italian coffee with lots of hot frothy milk) and enjoy the cookies