Rainbow Cookies

Rainbow Cookies #

Ingredients #

  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter softened divided (340g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1 (8-ounce/227g) package almond paste
  • 4 large eggs separated
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • red food coloring
  • green food coloring
  • 1/2 cup raspberry jam (160g)
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (312g)

Equipment Needed #

  • 3 (9×13″) baking sheets
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Electric hand or stand mixer
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Various weights (canned food works!)

Instructions #

  • Position oven racks in the upper third and lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease 3 (9×13-inch) baking pans or quarter sheet pans and line with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together 1/2 cup of butter, the sugar, and almond paste on medium speed until smooth, - about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 cup of butter. Beat on medium until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • With the mixer on low, add the egg yolks and almond extract, beating until just combined. Gradually add flour and salt, beating until just combined. Stop occasionally and scrape - down the bowl during mixing.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer with clean beaters or the whisk attachment on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Working in - batches, gently fold the egg whites into the cookie batter until combined and no streaks of egg white remain. Divide the batter evenly among 3 bowls.
  • Stir about 8 drops of red food coloring into one of the bowls of batter until fully combined. Spread into an even layer in 1 prepared pan. To another batter bowl, stir in about 8 - drops of green food coloring and spread into another prepared pan. Spread the remaining plain batter into the remaining prepared pan.
  • Place 2 pans on the upper third rack, ensuring the pans are not touching, and 1 pan on the lower third oven rack.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the pans on the top rack to the bottom rack and vice versa. Continue baking until a wooden pick inserted in the centers of each cookie pan comes - out clean, about 12 minutes more. Let the cookies cool completely in the pans on wire racks.
  • With the cooled green layer still in the pan, spread 1/4 cup of the jam in an even thin layer over the top. Flip the plain (un-dyed) layer on top of the jammy green layer and - carefully remove and discard the parchment from the plain layer. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup jam in an even thin layer over the plain layer. Place the red layer on top of the jammy - plain layer and remove and discard the parchment. Cover with a sheet of plastic wrap.
  • Place one of the baking pans on top of the stacked layers. Evenly place weights (such as plates or canned vegetables) on top of the pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to - 12 hours.
  • Once chilled, remove the weights and plastic wrap. Place a large cutting board on top of the stack and invert. Carefully remove and discard the parchment paper from the green - layer. Using a serrated knife, trim the edges to straighten. Place the stack, green layer up, on a wire rack set inside a large, rimmed baking sheet.
  • In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, heat half of the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted. Spread the melted chocolate over the bottom stack. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Refrigerate, uncovered, until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
  • In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, heat the remaining chocolate chips in 30-second intervals stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted. Spread the melted chocolate over the top and sides of the stack. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Using fork tines, scrape wavy lines into the chocolate. Refrigerate, uncovered, until the chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.
  • Using a serrated knife, slice the slab into 2-inch squares. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Original Recipe #

Preppy Kitchen