Delectable Tuesday Blog Hop 9/6 - Brownie Biscotti

Chocolate!! Need I say more?


Brownie Biscotti

1/2 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unblanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

DRIZZLE:
1/2 cup white baking chips
1-1/2 teaspoons shortening

In a large bowl, combine the butter, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to butter mixture just until combined (dough will be crumbly). Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead in almonds and chocolate chips. Divide dough in half.
On an ungreased baking sheet, shape each portion into a 12-in. x 3-in. log, leaving 3 in. between the logs. Bake at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until set and tops are cracked. Cool for 15 minutes. Carefully transfer to a cutting board; cut diagonally with a serrated knife into 1/2-in. slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm and dry. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For drizzle, in a microwave, melt vanilla chips and shortening at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over biscotti.


For more great recipes visit Hearth and Soul, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, What's Cooking Wednesday and Tuesdays at the Table.




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Crafty Friday 9/2 - Back to School Craft

Some of you may have started school already, but the kids in our area go back next Tuesday. Even though we homeschool I like to keep a schedule similar to the local schools. It keeps the kids from asking if they have to do school when they get up. :o)

There are lots of fun back to school crafts out there and after looking through hundreds I found this. Something fairly easy, cute and practical. All pluses in my book. The original project can be found here.


Book Blankets

Materials

• Felt
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pins

• Embroidery thread and needle
• Button (optional)

Self-adhesive Velcro dot (optional)

1. To make a cover, open your chosen book and measure the width and height. Add one inch to each measurement and cut out a piece of felt with those dimensions. For the inside flaps, cut two additional pieces of felt the same height as the main piece and two-thirds the width of the closed book's front cover.

2. Lay an inside flap on top of each end of the main piece and pin the flaps and the main piece together. With embroidery thread, sew a running stitch about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch from the edge around the entire border.

3. If you like, add one of these extras:

Notebook pocket:  Before attaching the inside flaps, cut a piece of felt that's 1 1/2 inches wider and 1/2 inch shorter than your notepad. Sew it in the center of what will be the front cover of the book.

Faux button closure: Before attaching the inside flaps, cut a strap that's 1 1/2 inches wide and as long as the width of an inside flap. Sandwich the strap between the back flap and the cover and pin it in place, then sew around the entire edge of the cover, as noted above. With scissors, round the end of the strap and sew on a button. Affix a self-adhesive Velcro dot to the strap and the front of the cover.

Penholder: After the cover is finished and on the book, cut a 1 3/4-inch square out of felt. With the book cIosed, lay the square over a pen on the book's spine and pin it in place. Take the cover off the book, then sew on the square.

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