Jeweled Cookie Slices Food

ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F/165° C. Position rack in the center.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugars).
• In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add olive oil, extracts, and zest. Whisk lightly together.
• When almonds are toasted, remove them from the oven and coarsely chop.
• Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.
• Fold in chopped almonds (make sure they have cooled off before incorporating in the batter).
• Use a large serving spoon to scoop out the dough and place it on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Add another scoop adjacent to the batter on the cookie sheet and keep going until two logs are formed.With damp fingers, shape into a log shape.
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown in color and firm. Allow to cool slightly for about 10 minutes.
• Remove from baking sheet and transfer to a cutting board.
• Using a serrated knife, slice cookies at an angle about ½ - ¾ inch thick.
• Place slices back on the baking sheets and return them to the oven for about another 15-20 minutes (the longer they stay in the oven, the crispier they get). Turn them over at the halfway mark.
• Place on a wire rack to cool.

CHRISTMAS JEWEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Set butter aside in a large bowl to soften.
• In another bowl mix together flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
• Set aside enough cherry halves so that there is enough to top each cookie with one.
• Add remaining fruit and walnuts to a third bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the flour mixture to the fruit and stir until it is coated with flour and mixed well. (This helps separate the fruit and keep it from sticking together.).
• After butter has softened, beat butter, sugar and eggs until creamy. Mix in buttermilk and vanilla.
• Add half of flour mixture and mix well. Add remaining flour and mix.
• Note: At this point, make sure everything is mixed well because the mixture will be very stiff and hard to stir after adding the fruit.
• Stir in half of the fruit mixture into the cookie dough. Add remaining fruit and mix.
• Refrigerate dough for an hour or more (may be refrigerated overnight).
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls on non-stick or lightly greased cookie sheet. Top each cookie with one reserved cherry half.
• Bake 12-15 minutes, until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly with finger.
• Remove and cool.

JEWEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla.
• Stir in flour.
• Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven 375 degrees.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls and dip in egg white.
• Roll in nuts.
• (Cookie dough ball, not you!).
• With floured thimble or thumb, press center of each cookie.
• Bake 10- 12 minutes, or until delicate golden brown.
• Cool on rack.
• Place 1/2 teaspoon jelly in center.

JEWELED LACE COOKIES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 325°F Grease 2 cookie sheets. In a medium saucepan, stir together the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter over medium heat until smooth and bubbling, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a bowl, whisk together the oats, flour and salt. Stir into the pot, then stir in the cranberries and pistachios.
• Drop rounded teaspoons of the mixture about 3 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake until bubbly and a shade darker, 9 to 10 minutes. Let cool for 1 minute before quickly transferring each cookie to a rack using a thin metal spatula. Let cool completely.
• TIP : having a hard time removing your cookies? Pop the pan back in the oven for a minute to soften them.

JEWEL BOX COOKIES

Steps:

• COMBINE flour and sugar in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until coarse crumbs form. Add beaten egg yolk and vanilla. Mix until dough holds together.
• SHAPE into small balls using half teaspoonfuls. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Make small indentation in center of each cookie. Chill 20 minutes.
• HEAT oven to 350°F Fill each cookie with scant 1/4 teaspoon jam, jelly or preserves. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until just golden around the edges.
• For added sparkle, unbaked cookies may be rolled in coarse bakery sugar crystals before being placed on cookie sheet to chill.