Dried Fruit & Walnut Biscotti

Ingredients

• 5 ounces dried figs, or dried fruit of your choice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur or sweet marsala
• 1 cup walnuts
• 3 1/2 cups ap flour
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup canola oil

Method

• Marinate figs in orange liqueur for several hours.
• Toast the walnuts in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes (use your nose....when you begin to smell them, they are probably getting done).
• Sift dry ingredients into a bowl.
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and oil Add to flour mixture and mix well with a spoon. Add the figs and liquid with the walnuts and mix well. The dough will be sticky. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Place parchment paper on two sheet pans. Spread half the dough on each sheet. With a spatula, spread each half into a 13 x 7" loaf.
• Bake in a 350F oven for about 15-20 minutes, until golden and just firm to the touch. Remove from oven allow to cool on sheets for about 10 minutes.
• Remove each loaf to a cutting board and cut on the diagonal into slices 1/2" thick. Place back on the baking sheets and cook an additional 7 minutes on each side or until toasted and golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

• Yield:
• "3 dozen"SOURCE: Adapted from Mary Ann Esposito