In honor of the first anniversay of the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers, here is the first recipe I posted:

Sherry's Neapolitan Cookies




1 Pkg or Can (7 to 8 oz) Almond Paste




1 1/2 Cup (3 sticks) Butter




1 Cup Sugar




4 Large Eggs, Separated




1 Teaspoon Almond Extract




2 Cups Unsifted All-purpose Flour




Red and Green Food Coloring




1/4 Cup Raspberry Jam




1/4 Cup Apricot Preserves




1 Pkg (6 oz) Semisweet-Chocolate Pieces




Preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottom and sides of three cookie sheets; line with waxed paper; grease waxed paper.




In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat almond paste, butter, sugar, egg yolks and almond extract until fluffy; stir in flour.




In small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; stir into almond-paste mixture.




Place 1 1/3 cups of the batter in each of two small bowls. Add red food color to one and green food color to the other. Spread red batter in one cookie sheet. Spread green batter in second cookie sheet. Spread plain batter in third cookie sheet. Bake each for 15 minutes at 350°; Remove from oven and cool completely.




On large cutting board or additional cookie sheet, invert green layer; spread with raspberry jam. Add plain layer; spread with apricot preserves. Top with red layer; cover with wax paper or plastic wrap; set heavy pan on top; refrigerate overnight.




The next day, in small glass bowl, microwave chocolate pieces on HIGH 3 minutes, stirring once; spread over red layer; trim edges. Let chocolate set slightly; cut crosswise into 1/2 inch strips; cut each into four pieces.




Makes about 8 Dozen.




I have tweaked this recipe to perfection. My 14-year-old just made them and they were by far the most delicious cookies we've ever enjoyed-- even better than Neapolitans from the Mr. Cookie bakery in New York. These cookies require two days of hard work. The almond paste is hard to find and costs about $5.00, but my oh my are they worth it. I highly recommend them to everyone, especially if you have a special occasion where you want to impress and spoil people.

5 comments

  1. Anonymous // August 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM  

    Sammy Jo, My granddaughter just turned 9 and the next time she is here I am going to use your special recipe to have a Megan and Nana day! She will love it and the DH will love the cookies. Thanks for the recipe!

    The Scarlet Pumpernickel

  2. Sherry Morris // August 17, 2008 at 1:19 PM  

    TSP,
    I guarantee Nana and Megan will have fun making these :) And your DH will gobble them up. Give him the trimmings from the sides when you cut them.

    Start shopping for the almond paste soon, it can be hard to find.

    Please let us know how they turn out.

  3. Mary Marvella // August 17, 2008 at 10:43 PM  

    How yummy! Gotta have some of those.

  4. Nightingale // August 18, 2008 at 9:58 AM  

    I'm not much of a baker but I'm gong to give these a try. They sound so much like a Christmas treat (since I only bake at Christmas) that I can smell them already.

  5. Beth // August 18, 2008 at 11:50 PM  

    How lovely with a cup of tea. Sounds yummy.