Sure! Let’s dive into the delightful world of Spumoni Slices, a traditional Italian Christmas cookie that will add a burst of color and flavor to your holiday festivities 🎄🍪. These cookies are not only visually stunning with their three vibrant layers, but they also offer a tantalizing blend of textures and tastes, making them a perfect addition to any dessert platter or gift basket.
Spumoni Slices Recipe
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 57 minutes
Servings: 42
Yield: 84 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup milk (divided)
- 1 cup pistachio nuts
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- Green food coloring
Instructions:
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Prepare Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening and butter until softened, about 30 seconds.
- Add half of the flour, sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons of milk, vanilla extract, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat the mixture until thoroughly combined, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- Stir in the remaining flour until a dough forms.
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Divide and Flavor:
- Divide the dough into three equal portions.
- For the chocolate layer, mix in the melted semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons of milk into one portion of the dough.
- For the cherry layer, mix in the chopped maraschino cherries into the second portion.
- For the pistachio layer, mix in the pistachio nuts, remaining milk, vanilla extract, and enough green food coloring to achieve the desired tint.
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Shape and Chill:
- Line the bottom and sides of an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan with clear plastic wrap.
- Press the pink (cherry) dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Layer the chocolate dough on top of the cherry dough, followed by the green (pistachio) dough.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
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Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once chilled, invert the loaf pan onto a cutting board and remove the dough from the pan.
- Peel off the plastic wrap and slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Cut each slice crosswise into three pieces.
- Place the cookie slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
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Bake and Decorate:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optionally, drizzle the cooled cookies with powdered sugar icing tinted green or melted chocolate for added sweetness and decoration.
These Spumoni Slices are not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes, with their beautiful layers of pink, brown, and green. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday gathering, a cookie exchange, or just to enjoy with your family, they’re sure to be a hit! So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking these festive Italian treats 🇮🇹🎁.
