Neapolitan Cookies I

Recipe View In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. (2 minutes)

Recipe View In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Divide the dough equally into three separate bowls. (2 minutes)

Recipe View To the first bowl, add the almond extract and red food coloring. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed, creating the pink layer. (1 minute)

Recipe View To the second bowl, add the melted and cooled chocolate. Mix until well combined, creating the chocolate layer. (1 minute)

Recipe View To the third bowl, add the toasted walnuts (if using). Mix until evenly distributed, creating the vanilla/nut layer. (1 minute)

Recipe View Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Spread the pink (almond) dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Spread the vanilla/nut dough evenly over the pink layer, pressing gently to create an even surface. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Finally, spread the chocolate dough evenly over the vanilla/nut layer. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Cover the layered dough with parchment paper or plastic wrap and gently press down to compact the layers. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until firm. (4 hours)

Recipe View Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (10 minutes)

Recipe View Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the dough out of the loaf pan. Peel off the parchment paper. (2 minutes)

Recipe View With a sharp knife, cut the dough lengthwise in half. Then, slice each half crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Place the sliced cookies on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. (20 minutes)