Almond and Anise Biscotti

Italian biscotti are misunderstood cookies. Biscotti means “twice-cooked” in Italian, and it refers to baking the cookie dough once until it is baked through, slicing it, and then baking it again until the slices are hard and dry. The rock-hard cookies are meant to be eaten dipped in espresso or wine to soften them and infuse them with flavor (hence the traditional long shape for easy dipping). In the United States, this Italian classic has been turned into an American-style cookie.