Wednesday Recipes: Neopolitan Cookies

These are different--and striking to look at--and fun to make! Enjoy. :)

Neopolitan Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Red food coloring

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, melted

Directions:

1. Line bottom and sides of a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with waxed paper.

2. Cream butter in a large mixing bowl; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat well. Stir in vanilla.

3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl; add to creamed mixture, beating just until blended.

4. Divide dough into thirds. Add almond extract and 5 drops red food coloring to one portion; spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Add pecans to second portion; spread mixture evenly over dough in pan. Add melted chocolate to remaining portion; spread mixture evenly over dough in pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

5. Turn dough out of pan, and remove waxed paper. Cut dough in half length-wise; cut each half crosswise into 1/8-inch slices. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in airtight containers.

7. Yield: 5 dozen.

Note: This recipe comes from Christmas Cookies, Oxmoor House, 1986.