Biscotti (My Daughter Made For A Tea Party Bridal Shower)

1/2 cup butter
1-1/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
dash salt
2 tsp. milk
Optional (1/2 cup slivered almonds)  We didn't use.

Cream butter and 1 cup sugar in bowl.  Add eggs and beat well.  Stir in extract.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt and add to creamed mixture.  Mix thoroughly.  Grease cookie sheet.  Divide dough into two twelve inch long and three inch wide rectangle loaves.   Brush with milk.  Sprinkle 1/4 sugar on top.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm.  Remove from oven.  Reduce temperature to 300 degrees.   Cool loaves for 15 minutes.  Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Place cut sides down on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 10 minutes.  Turn over and bake another 10 minutes.