Spumoni Slices - Italian Christmas Cookies - cooking recipe

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
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 (1 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate baking square, melted and cooled
4 teaspoons milk
1/3 cup chopped candied red cherries
1/2 cup chopped pistachio nut
1/4 teaspoon rum flavoring
3 drops green food coloring
powdered sugar icing (optional) or melted chocolate (optional)

Preparation

Beat shortening and margarine or butter about 30 seconds or till softened.
Add half the flour, the sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoons salt.
Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
Stir in remaining flour.
Divide dough into thirds.
Into one portion, mix chocolate and 2 teaspoons of the milk.
Into second portion, mix cherries.
Into third portion mix nuts, remaining milk, flavoring, and enough green food coloring to tint dough.
To shape dough, line bottom and sides of an 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan with clear plastic wrap.
Press pink dough evenly in pan.
Top with chocolate dough.
Top with green dough.
Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Invert pan; remove dough.
Remove plastic wrap.
Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices; cut each slice crosswise into three pieces.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in 375 oven 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned.
Remove and cool on rack.
Drizzle with powdered sugar icing tinted green or with melted chocolate.