BY SCOTTIE, I THINK I'VE GOT IT!
This weekend it hit me like a lead-filled brick falling from a high rise; the holidays are right around the corner, and as much as I've prepared for months by purchasing little treats here and there, I don't have enough tricks up my sleeve to please everyone on this Santa's list! Then I got to thinking, why not make home made goodies and put them in an interesting container? I've found fabulous vintage bowls and serving trays at thrift shops throughout the year, so why not make something yummy and present it on something that didn't cost a lot of money. Our fabulously creative friend, Jill, just made delicious biscottis and after the sweet taste hit my tongue, I had a gift idea for everyone. Simple, delicious and inexpensive..get creative on the presentation of it (package them as a bouquet of flowers, put them in a candle holder, vase or cool thrift shop find). When you get creative chances are you won't spend a dime to let everyone know they're on your mind!
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure orange extract
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1 cup chopped almonds
1 teaspoon anise seed
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time until well combined; beat in orange extract and zest. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until just combined. Beat in almonds, and anise.
3.Transfer to prepared baking sheet; using your hands, pat into a slightly flattened log, about 15 by 4 inches. Bake until firm and lightly browned, and top is slightly cracked, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes.
4.Transfer to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut log crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until slices are just turning brown around the edges, 15 to 18minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: Approx 1 hour
COST: Less than $10
STRESS LEVEL: Making an interesting holiday gift for little dough: LOW
