I make it a point to always have some biscotti around the holidays.  You can swap out the flavors for anything you have in your kitchen and will not be disappointed.  Well, unless you pick gross flavors.

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 pound of crisco
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
Zest of two oranges
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2  cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups chopped dates

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Sift flour, sugar and baking powder into a bowl. Cut in crisco until small crumb consistency.  Add beaten eggs and vanilla until just combined. Fold in pecans and dates.

Split dough into 2 equal pieces.  Form two longs about a foot long each and about 1 1/2 to 2″ wide.  Bake them for approximately 25-30 minutes until cooked through.  Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.  Slice each loaf into 1/2″ pieces. Place them on the cookie sheet and return to oven to toast for approximately 15 minutes.  Remove from oven, flip over to other side to toast evenly.  Let cool and decorate with melted chocolate or powdered sugar.