RAINBOW (NEAPOLITAN) COOKIES

Rainbow (Neapolitan) Cookies

Source: Judy Ange (my sister) 08/14/1997

8 ounces almond paste (1 cup plus 2 teaspoons)
1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
20 drops red food coloring
12 drops green food coloring
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/4 cup apricot preserves

Chocolate Coating
6 ounces semisweet chips, melted according to
    package directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line three 9 x 13-inch cake pans with wax paper and spray lightly with Pam, or use one pan and reline each time.

Mash almond paste; add butter, sugar and egg yolks, beat till fluffy and add flour; set aside.

Beat egg whites till soft peaks form and add to butter mixture. Mix thoroughly by hand. Divide batter into three parts, approximately 1 1/3 cups each. Add red to one part, green to the second part and leave third part yellow. Pour each color into a prepared cake pan.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees F. Cool 5 minutes, inverted on rack.

Remove wax paper and trim edges if necessary. Spread raspberry on green layer, top with yellow, spread apricot and top with pink layer. Cover with plastic and set in refrigerator for several hours until set. Cut short side 2 inches wide and spread chocolate over top and sides of strips and let dry. Slice 3/4 inch thick. Can freeze!

Comments: Can change green to blue for baby showers (decrease amount of red to get a lighter shade of pink) and July 4th parties.