COFFEE SHOP STYLE EASY CAKE MIX BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
• Pour the cake mix into a mixing bowl. Stir in sifted all purpose flour.
• Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, margarine and vanilla extract.
• With an electric beater mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the dough does not stick to the sides of the mixing bowl. It will look and feel like play dough!
• On a lightly floured board, divide dough into two halves.
• Roll each half into a log about 1" in diameter.
• Roll each log gently to the edge of the board and then continue rolling it onto a lightly sprayed 11" x 15" baking sheet.
• Flatten the top of each cookie log until it is about 3" wide.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove baking sheet from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 and do not turn off.
• Gently slide one cookie log onto the board that you rolled out the dough on.
• Using a serrated knife or better still an electric carving knife, slice each log across the width into 3/4" slices.
• Place cookies cut side down back onto the baking sheet and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes.
• Remove cookies to cooling rack to cool completely.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container or freeze.
• Variations include:.
• PECAN BISCOTTI: butter pecan cake mix - chopped pecans - maple extract.
• APRICOT BISCOTTI: golden cake mix - chopped dried apricots - toasted slivered almonds - almond extract.
• CRANBERRY BISCOTTI: vanilla cake mix - chopped dried cranberries - toasted slivered almonds - almond extract.
• ORANGE SPICE BISCOTTI: spice cake mix - walnuts - grated orange zest.
• GINGER BISCOTTI: spice cake mix - walnuts - chopped crystalized ginger pieces.
• CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI: chocolate cake mix - chocolate piece or chips, freeze first so they retain their shape during baking.
• LEMON ALMOND BISCOTTI: lemon cake mix - toasted slivered almonds.