Polish Apricot Filled Cookies Food

APRICOT-FILLED COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine apricots, water, almonds, lemon juice and remaining sugar. Cook and stir until thickened, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. , Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion to 1/8-in thickness. Cut half of the dough with a floured 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Cut second portion with a 2-1/2-in. doughnut cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. To assemble, spread bottom of solid cookies with filling; top with cutout cookies. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar.

APRICOT CRESCENT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Blend butter, cream cheese, and sour cream together in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Stir in flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and salt until well blended.
• Wrap dough in waxed paper and chill until firm enough to roll, at least 3 hours, or overnight.
• Divide dough into thirds. Keep dough in the refrigerator while working on one portion at a time. Roll each portion into a 12 1/2x10-inch rectangle. Cut into 2 1/2-inch squares using a fluted pastry wheel.
• Place a dot, about 1/4 teaspoon, of preserves in the center of each square. Bring up two diagonal corners to the center, pinching together to seal, or secure with a toothpick. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until firm, but not brown, about 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool, 8 to 10 minutes more. Sift remaining powdered sugar over the cooled cookies.

POLISH APRICOT HORNS

Steps:

• Blend butter, cottage cheese and flour with hands to form dough. Add more flour if cheese is watery. Shape into 1-inch balls and put in refrigerator overnight. (Dough may be kept under refrigeration for up to one month.).
• Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside.
• Cook apricots until tender; drain and puree. Add 2 cups Sugar while still hot. Cool. In a separate bowl, mix almonds and 1 ¼ cup Sugar; set aside.
• Press each dough ball into a 3-inch round (make only ten horns at a time so dough will remain cold). Place one teaspoon of apricot filling into center of each round. Roll into shape of horn.
• Dip in egg whites and then roll up in sugared almonds. Place on prepared sheet and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with Confectioners Powdered Sugar, if desired.
• Note: Rounds can be folded over filling and edges press close for a half-moon filled cookie.

APRICOT-FILLED SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, combine flour and walnuts; gradually beat into creamed mixture. , Shape into 1-1/2-in.-thick logs. Cut crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool completely on pans on wire racks., Meanwhile, for filling, combine apricots and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until apricots are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; cool to room temperature. Pulse 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon and apricots in a blender or food processor until smooth. Spread over bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. , For topping, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

POLISH KOLACKY COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine flour and baking powder. Beat butter, cream cheese and granulated sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
• Divide dough into thirds; shape each into ball. Flatten each ball slightly; wrap separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out 1 ball of dough into 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into 2-1/2-inch squares, rerolling trimmings as necessary. Spoon about 1/2 tsp. pastry filling onto center of each square. Use finger tip to lightly moisten 2 opposite corners of each dough square with water, then overlap corners in center and press together to seal. Place, filling sides up and 1 inch apart, on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake 13 to 15 min. or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 3 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

APRICOT FILLED COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream sugar and shortening.
• Add eggs.
• Sift dry ingredients.
• Add dry ingredients alternating with milk and vanilla; mix well.
• Roll 1/8 inch thick and cut with 2 1/2 round cutter.
• Combine filling ingredients in order given.
• Cook in medium sauce pan over medium heat until it looks like marmalade.
• Stir frequently to prevent sticking and browning of fruit.
• Put 1 tbsp filling on 1/2 of cookie dough rounds.
• Cover with remaining rounds.
• Press edges with fork to seal.
• Brush tops with egg whites.
• Bake on greased cookie sheets at 400°F for 15 minutes.