spumoni squares

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 drops green food coloring
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts
• 1 drop red food coloring
• 1/4 cup candied cherries, finely chopped

Recipe

• beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer until blended. beat in egg and vanilla. on low speed, beat in flour until blended. shape dough into a brick and cut in thirds.
• melt 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mini-chips. flatten 1 portion dough, scrape melted chocolate over top and carefully knead until blended. knead in remaining mini-chips. with palms, roll into a 2-foot rope. flatten to 1/2 inch.
• flatten another portion dough. add 2 drops green food color and knead to blend, sprinkling lightly with flour if necessary. knead in chopped pistachios. roll into 2-foot rope, flatten, cut in half (for easier handling) and place end to end on chocolate layer. repeat with remaining dough, kneading in 1 drop red food coloring, then the cherries. roll, flatten, cut and place on pistacio layer. cut into two 1-foot blocks; square off sides as much as possible. wrap and chill until firm.
• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c).
• cut blocks of chilled dough crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick slices. place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. bake 8 minutes or until puffed. remove to wire rack to cool.