Banana Biscotti Bones

Source: The Best American Recipes 1999

Although these are treats for your favorite four-legged friend, humans like them too!

5 cups flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups pureed bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Water

Heat the oven to 325 degrees F and set a rack on the middle level. Have ready one or two ungreased nonstick baking sheets.

Mix the flour, peanuts and baking soda together in a large bowl. Gradually stir in the remaining ingredients, except the water, until lumpy but blended.

Add enough water, a teaspoon at a time, to make a stiff dough. Knead by hand until thoroughly mixed. Or blend everything in a food processor.

For very large biscotti, form the dough into 2 logs, each about 2 1/2 inches high, placing one on each baking sheet. Flatten each log so that it is 6 inches wide and 1 inch high. For medium-size biscotti, form 4 logs, 2 on each sheet, and flatten each into loaves that are 3 inches wide and 1 inch high. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove to wire racks and let rest for 10 minutes.

Leave the oven on. Transfer the logs to a cutting board and slice into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces. (It's easiest to slice them on the diagonal, using a serrated bread knife.) Return the slices to the baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes longer, turning once, until they are golden brown. Cool on racks. Store in a tightly closed tin at room temperature. Makes 30 to 60 dog (or people) biscuits.