8 eggs1/2 cup vegetable oil3/4 package dry yeast1/4 cup lukewarm water1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1 ounce whiskey1/2 teaspoon anise or vanilla extract5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, blending well. Add remaining ingredients except the flour. Beat until well blended. Add flour, a little at a time, mixing well until dough is soft, but not sticky. Place on board and knead dough with heel of hands until smooth. Use additional flour sparingly or dough will become stiff.
Tear off pieces of dough the size of an egg and fashion into a rope and seal (doughnut shape). Plunge biscotti, a few at a time, into 4 quarts of rapidly boiling water. Let biscotti rise to top and cook for 1 minute. Remove with slotted spoon. Cool on a large clean towel. Slit cooled biscotti with a sharp knife along the perimeter and place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 450 degrees F for about 10 minutes until double in size. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake until brown. Cool.
Frost with lemon icing, if desired.
Yields 4 dozen biscotti.
