Raspberry Tart Cookie Recipe

RASPBERRY TART COOKIES

2 3/4 c. sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened 1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened 1 c. granulated sugar 1 egg 1 jar (12 oz.) raspberry preserves 10x confectioners' sugar Sift flour and baking powder onto wax paper. Beat butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg in a large mixing bowl until blended. Stir in flour mixture, blending thoroughly. Turn dough onto a sheet of wax paper (mixture will be sticky). Shape into a ball. Chill several hours or overnight. Divide dough in half and refrigerate other half. Roll out to a thickness of 1/8 inch with a lightly floured rolling pin. Cut out with a 3 inch round cookie cutter as many circles as you can. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Roll out remaining dough; cut out in 3 inch circles. Cut out centers with a 1/2 inch round cutter. There should be an equal number of solid and cut-out circles. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookie sheets from oven to wire racks. Let stand 1 minute before removing cookie sheets. Cool completely. Heat preserves in a small saucepan to melt slightly. Spread each of the solid cookies with a thin layer of hot preserves. Top each with cut-out circle and press together gently to form a sandwich. Place on wire racks. Sprinkle tops with 10x sugar. Spoon a dab of preserves into opening of each cookie. Let stand to firm slightly. Store in tightly covered containers in single layers with wax paper between each layer.

Turtle Cookies Recipe

Chiqui's Turtle Cookies N'Orleans Style

Chiqui Collier, who teaches at The New Orleans Cooking Experience, writes to share her recipe for this special cookie.

Makes 36 cookies

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons water

2 lightly beaten egg whites

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Sift together flour and salt.

In another bowl, cream together the brown sugar and soft butter until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Blend in egg yolks, vanilla and water. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.

Place egg whites in a shallow bowl and chopped pecans in another bowl. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, form 1-inch balls of dough, flattening slightly on one side. Dip the flattened side in the egg whites, then into the pecans.

Place nut-side-up on prepared baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Press down lightly on the cookie, being careful not to crack the dough balls.

Bake for seven minutes. Reverse pans and continue baking eight more minutes. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on racks.

When cookies are completely cool, cover with mounds of chocolate icing.

Chocolate icing

¼ teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsweetened Hershey's cocoa

1 pound confectioner's sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup (or more) milk or cream

Place salt, cocoa and confectioner's sugar in a food processor. Blend well. Add remaining ingredients and blend until well combined and fluffy.

Place icing in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip. Top each cooled cookie with a generous dollop of icing.

Store in a covered cake box.

Enjoy!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com