Rainbow Cookies
- 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened, plus more for the pans
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
- 8 ounces almond paste
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Red and green food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1 15 -ounce jar smooth apricot jam
- Cooking spray
- 1 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- You'll need three 9-by-12-inch jelly roll pans or rimmed baking sheets to make these layered cookies.
- Prep the pans: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 9-by-12-inch jelly roll pans or rimmed baking sheets and line with parchment paper.
- Make the batter: Combine the almond paste and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on medium speed until the mixture is in fine crumbles.
- Beat in 2 1/2 sticks butter, a few pieces at a time, until well combined.
- Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, until smooth.
- Sift 2 cups flour onto a sheet of parchment and sprinkle the salt on top; add to the mixer bowl and beat until just combined.
- In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy; while whisking, slowly add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and whisk until firm peaks form (or use a hand mixer).
- Fold about one-third of the egg white mixture into the batter with a rubber spatula, then gently fold in the rest.
- The batter should be fluffy.
- Color the batter: Divide the batter evenly among 3 bowls.
- Stir enough red food coloring into 1 bowl to make a deep salmon color.
- Stir enough green food coloring into another bowl to make a medium green color.
- Leave the third bowl uncolored.
- Bake the layers: Transfer the batter to the prepared pans (one pan for each color).
- Dip an offset spatula in water and spread the batter to the edge of each pan, smoothing the tops.
- Bake, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until the cakes are cooked through and just beginning to brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let cool completely in the pans on wire racks.
- Assemble the layers: Spread half of the jam evenly over the green cake layer almost all the way to the edges.
- Unmold the plain cake layer by inverting it onto another pan or cutting board; peel off the parchment.
- Carefully slide the plain layer onto the green layer (use a wide offset spatula to help you, if necessary).
- Spread the remaining jam on top of the plain layer.
- Unmold the red cake layer and slide it onto the plain layer.
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and top with one of the empty pans; place several heavy cans on top to weigh down the layers.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Unmold the cake: Remove the cans and plastic wrap.
- Place a cutting board on top of the cake and flip to unmold it onto the cutting board.
- Remove the parchment from the top of the green layer.
- Trim the cake: Trim the sides with a knife to make straight edges.
- Spray a wire rack with cooking spray; set the rack over a baking sheet.
- Carefully slide the cake onto the rack, using a wide offset spatula to help you, if necessary.
- Cover in chocolate: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; pour over the cake.
- Dip an offset spatula in the hot water and smooth the top and sides.
- Let set slightly.
- Scrape wavy lines into the chocolate with a fork; let cool a few more minutes until the chocolate is mostly set but still slightly tacky.
- Cut into pieces: Slide the cake back onto the cutting board.
- Slice crosswise into 6 strips, then cut each strip into 8 rectangular pieces.
- For clean edges, dip the knife in warm water and wipe it with a cloth between cuts.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- If the lines in the chocolate don't hold their shape, let the chocolate set a little longer and try again.
- Photograph by David Malosh
butter, flour, almond paste, sugar, eggs, kosher salt, red, cooking spray, bittersweet chocolate
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rainbow-cookies-recipe.html (may not work)