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Valentine’s Day Italian 7 layer Cookies
Author: Jackie
Ingredients
  • 4 large eggs , separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 8- oz can almond paste or homemade
  • 2 ½ sticks (1 ¼ cups) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 different gel food coloring (measure with the tip of a knife)
  • 1 (12-oz) jar raspberry preserves, heated and strained
  • White chocolate coating (I use candiquik)
  • 1 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil
  • Pink food coloring
  • Sprinkles
Instructions
  1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line bottom with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 ends, then spray the paper.
  3. Beat whites in mixer fitted with whisk attachment at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks. Add ¼ cup sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed until whites hold stiff, slightly glossy peaks. Transfer to another bowl.
  4. Switch to paddle attachment, then beat together almond paste and remaining ¾ cup sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add butter and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  6. Add yolks and almond extract and beat until combined well, about 2 minutes.
  7. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and salt and mix until just combined.
  8. Fold half of egg white mixture into almond mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
  9. Divide batter among 3 bowls. Stir food coloring into each bowl.
  10. Pour 1st colored batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with offset spatula (layer will be about ¼ inch thick).
  11. Bake each layer 8 to 10 minutes, until just set. (It is important to undercook.)
  12. Transfer to a rack to cool.
  13. When all layers are cool, invert 1 layer onto a wax-paper-lined large baking sheet. Discard paper from layer and spread with half of preserves.
  14. Invert next on top of 1st layer, discarding paper. Spread with remaining preserves.
  15. Invert final layer on top of previous layer and discard wax paper.
  16. Cover with plastic wrap and weight with a large baking pan. Chill at least 8 hours.
  17. Remove weight and plastic wrap.
  18. Bring layers to room temperature.
  19. Melt chocolate and shortening in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. If chocolate needs to be melted more, place in microwave and heat for increments of 10 seconds until it is smooth.
  20. Trim edges of assembled layers with a long serrated knife.
  21. Cut into 2 inch squares then carefully dip into chocolate to coat.
  22. Once all of the squares have been coated, melt about ⅓ cup of white chocolate coating with shortening and pink food gel.
  23. When melted and smooth, place in a ziplock bag and snip the corner.
  24. Drizzle pink chocolate onto the squares and top with you favorite sprinkles.