Bella Viva Haselnut Pear Biscotti

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ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 tsp. vanilla (or 1 TBS)
• 4 medium eggs, beaten
• 1 cup finely ground hazelnuts
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (ex: King Arthur)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
• 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped dried pears

Preheat oven to 350° F

In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter.  Add vanilla, eggs and ground hazelnuts. In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder and add to ground hazelnut mixture. Stir in chopped hazelnuts and pears. Divide dough in halves or thirds. On a well-floured surface (really, really well floured), shape into logs. Transfer logs to a parchment paper-lined or lightly sprayed baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes or until firm and lightly browned. Cool on a rack for at least 5 minutes. Cut logs on the diagonal into ¾ inch slices. Return slices to baking sheet, leaving space around each slice, and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes or until desired crispness. Cool completely on rack.

Makes 48 depending on how you divide the dough.