Spumoni Slices (Neapolitan Cookies)

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 semi-sweet chocolate baking squares, melted (1 ounce each)
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 3-5 drops green food coloring
• 1/4 cup candied red cherry, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3-5 drops red food coloring

Directions

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

2. 2

   Beat in egg and vanilla.

3. 3

   Gradually add flour and mix well.

4. 4

   Divide dough into three portions.

5. 5

   Stir chocolate into one portion; mix well.

6. 6

   Add pecans and green food coloring to the second portion.

7. 7

   Add cherries, almond extract and red food coloring to the third.

8. 8

   Roll each portion between two pieces of waxed paper into and 8x6-inch rectangle. Remove waxed paper.

9. 9

   Place chocolate rectangle on a piece of plastic wrap.

10. 10

    Top with the green and pink rectangles; press together lightly.

11. 11

    Wrap with plastic wrap and chill overnight. Cut chilled dough in half lengthwise. Return one rectangle to the refrigerator.

12. 12

    Cut remaining rectangle into 1/8 inch slices.

13. 13

    Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

14. 14

    Bake at 375 for 5-7 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

15. 15

    Repeat with remaining dough.

16. 16

    Note: for another good and highly reviewed Neapolitan Cookie recipe, take a look at recipe number 47503.