Chocolate Anise Biscotti

Chocolate Anise Biscotti (makes about 20-22, counting ends)

(recipe from Giada's Family Dinners by Giada De Laurentiis)

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 tsp. ground anise seed

2 large eggs

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the sugar, butter, and anise seed to blend. Note: if you are using whole anise seed, you can grind it in a spice grinder, and then measure out the 1 tsp

Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Then add the flour mixture and beat just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Form the dough into a log that is 16" long and 3" wide. I find it easiest to put spoons of dough onto the prepared sheet in a line, using a ruler as a guide. Then smooth the log out with your hands and flatten slightly until it reaches the right dimensions.

Bake the loaf until a light golden color, about 30 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes. Then, place it on a cutting board and, using a serrated knife, cut it on the diagonal in 1/2-3/4" slices.