CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI A FESTIVE TREAT : CHOCOLATE CINNAMON BISCOTTI.

These recipes embody the holidays. Bite into a Chocolate Cinnamon Biscotti and get a crispy mouthful of cinnamon, cocoa, almonds and festive dried cranberries. All that comes with very little fat, because highly flavored ingredients, like spices, add so much zing, these toothsome treats don't need much fat.

Cinnamon Clouds are just that. Light and airy, these bite-size meringues have a very big flavor-spicy cinnamon, crunchy pecans and chocolate chips. The only fat in these comes from the chocolate chips, which are used judiciously. So go ahead, bake and be of good cheer, because you can definitely eat more than just one.

1 1/4 cups flour

3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter OR margarine, softened

3 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Grease a large baking sheet; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Using an electric mixer on medium speed beat in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 egg whites and almond extract; beat until soft dough forms, about 1 minute. Stir in almonds and cranberries.

On a lightly floured board shape dough into a 15x2-inch log; place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl lightly beat remaining egg white; brush over log; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon sugar.

Bake in preheated 350-degree oven until log is firm but slightly pliable, 30 to 35 minutes. Using 2 spatulas remove to a wire rack; set baking sheet aside. Cool until log can be handled, about 10 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Transfer log to a cutting board; using a serrated knife cut into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices. Place cut-side-down on baking sheet; bake until crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to a wire rack. Cool completely before storing in a tightly covered container. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 77 calories; 1 grams protein; 10 grams carbohydrate; 3 grams fat.

CINNAMON CLOUDS

2 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Line 1 large or 2 small baking sheets with foil; set aside. In the large bowl of an electric mixer place egg whites and salt. Beat until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add cinnamon; gradually add brown sugar; beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Fold in pecans and chocolate chips. with heaping teaspoonsful, form mounds about 1 1/4-inches wide, about 1 inch apart.

Bake in preheated 275-degree oven until dry on outside but moist in center, about 40 minutes. (If using 2 baking sheets, place on 2 different oven racks; switch sheets halfway through baking). Turn off oven; let pan remain in oven until cookies are dry, about 1 hour.

Remove cookies, peel off any foil. Store in a tightly covered container up to 3 weeks (or freeze in damp or humid climates). Makes 2 3/4 dozen.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 22 calories; .5 grams protein; 3 grams carbohydrate; .9 grams fat.

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Photo: (color) Chocolate Cinnamon Biscotti are a taste treat to help celebrate Christmas and help ring in the New Year.