Preheat oven to 325F.

Coarsely chop nuts and toast lightly in a nonstick pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar. Add eggs and combine well. Stir in orange juice and zest until smooth.

Combine dry ingredients and add to orange mixture. Stir until almost all the flour is absorbed. Add nuts and complete stirring. Dough will be sticky.

Generously flour a working surface. Scrape dough onto surface and dust top with flour to prevent it from sticking to your hands. Pat it into a round and divide in 2. The dough is very soft.

Working carefully, place one piece onto an ungreased baking sheet and pinch and pat it into a log the length of the baking sheet. Slightly flatten the log. Repeat same shaping with the other half of dough. Tip: Both should fit on one cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden. Remove from oven and let stand on pan for 5 minutes. Carefully remove to a cutting board and slice the logs into 3/4-inch slices at a 45-degree angle. Place the slices cut side down onto the same baking sheet. Return to the oven for 10 minutes to toast. Remove and flip the slices. Return to oven or 10 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the biscotti in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes more to dry. Remove to a cooling rack. Tip: Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. If the biscotti become soft they can be returned to the oven for extra crisping.

California. Shared with McRecipe List, untested, by phannema@wizard.ucr.edu