Ginger-White Chocolate Biscotti

Ginger-White Chocolate Biscotti

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped crystallized ginger

1 cup chopped white

chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In large bowl, using a sturdy spoon or an electric mixer, lightly beat eggs, sugar and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture at low speed. Watch out for flying flour if too much is added at once. Dough will be dry and crumbly. Mix until dough begins to take form. Mix in ginger and white chocolate.

Scrape dough onto a work surface lightly coated with flour. Lightly coat hands with flour and knead briefly until dough is soft and not sticky (about 8 to 10 times). Divide dough into 2 pieces. Shape each piece into a log about 10 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1 inch high. Carefully transfer logs to baking sheet, placing logs 4 inches apart. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until well risen, lightly browned and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Cool cylinders on baking sheet for 10 minutes until warm. Peel off paper or foil and transfer logs to cutting board. Using a serrated or sharp knife, cut diagonal 1/2-inch slices. Use a firm and fast cutting motion to prevent crumbling. Lay biscotti flat on baking sheets. You will need two sheets to fit all the biscotti. Return to oven and bake until golden, firm and very dry, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cookies might be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool. Let stand 2 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to rack. Cool completely before storing or biscotti may become soggy.

Makes 40 biscotti