Neopolitan Christmas Cookies 'a la Lilly

Hi Everyone.  It's me Lilly the cat from Lilly My Cat.  My Mom has been busy baking Christmas cookies and wrapping presents so I'm writing this post today to help her out. I've had my usual busy day of cat napping and eating and I did go hunting in the backyard for a bit today but I don't think it's gecko season right now :(

 

 Today my Mom made neopolitan cookies.  She told me they remind her of the Brachs coconut candy she used to eat as a child.  Obviously, that was a long time ago.

She said the dough is so easy to make and then she divides it in three sections and flavors/colors each section.  The pink dough is flavored with almond extract, the brown dough with cocoa and the white dough has chopped walnuts.

After she finishes making the dough, she puts each layer of dough in a metal loaf pan with a plastic liner.  Just push each layer of dough down, one upon the other.  Then, you need to refrigerate this dough for about 4 hours or more.  After it has set, she sliced the dough in three parts lengthwise and then slices across each of these.  Ummm, my cat vocabulary is having a hard time trying to explain what she did, but you get the idea.

Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea of how it works.  Here they are after they have been baked.  I think they came out so pretty.  Too bad they aren't flavored with pink salmon, white fish and brown beef for my gourmet cat taste.  You can find the recipe for these fun cookies at the bottom of the page.

Do you like the look of this Christmas tree with it's twinkling lights?  It's my sister Heidi's tree and unfortunately, I haven't been to visit her at her home yet.  I'd love to snuggle up under this tree for my evening cat nap.  Maybe she will invite me over?  I need to be a good kitty since Santa will soon be arriving.

My Mom sends her best wishes to each of you.  And, I send you my meows and best wishes to all my little cat friends in blogland.

Meows from

Lilly

Pat's Neopolitan Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

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1/2 teaspoon almond extract

red food coloring

2 Tablespoons cocoa

1/4 cup chopped nuts

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars.  Add in egg and vanilla.  Add in flour, cornstach, salt and baking powder and mix well.  Divide dough into three equal parts (approximately 1 cup each).

For the first dough, add in almond extract and a couple of drops of red food coloring.  Blend until well mixed.

For the second dough, add in cocoa and blend well.

For the third dough, add in chopped nuts.

Prepare a metal loaf pan, 9" x 5" with plastic wrap.  Place the cocoa dough in the bottom of the pan and flatten dough until it is even.  Place white/walnut dough on top of cocoa dough, keeping the surface flat.  Add the pink dough last and flatten until it is smooth.  Cover with more plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill for approximately 4 hours or more.

Remove dough from loan pan and slice the dough lengthwise into three pieces.  Then cut across each long piece of dough  (about 15 slices out of each lengthwise piece of dough).  Place cut slices on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom.

Immediately remove from cookie sheet and let cool on a wire rack.  Store in a closed container. 

Enjoy!