Apricot Pistachio Layered Icebox Cookies Recipes

APRICOT AND PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Measure your flour into a bowl and whisk to aerate the flour and remove any lumps.
• In a large mixing bowl of the bowl of a stand mixer combine the butter, brown sugar, salt, almond extract and vanilla extract. Mix on low until ingredients are roughly combined then increase mixer speed to medium and beat until mixture is lighter in color and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Add the flour all at once and mix on low speed until the flour is well combined and the dough has started to come together about 3 minutes. The cookie dough will have a crumbly texture in the beginning and then it will come together into a smooth dough. Add the chopped pistachios and dried apricots and mix on low speed until well combined, about 30 seconds.
• Turn the cookie dough out onto a lightly floured surface. You can turn it out onto a large piece of parchment paper or Silpat. Use your hands to shape the dough into a large ball and then divide it in half. Each half should weigh about 350 grams. Shape each half into a log about 6 inches long and 2 inches thick. Wrap each log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.
• Using a sharp knife to slice the ends of the cookie logs to even out the ends. Slice each log into 1/4-inch rounds and place each slice on a cookie sheet about 1-inch apart. These cookies don't spread much. Bake for 22-25 minutes. Remove the cookies and allow to cool.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container.

ICEBOX SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. With mixer on low speed, add flour, mixing just until a dough forms. Stir in desired mix-ins.
• Divide dough in half; place each half on a piece of floured waxed or parchment paper. With floured hands, gently roll each into a 1 1/2-inch-diameter log. Dividing evenly, sprinkle logs with desired coating if using, rolling log (to help coating adhere) and pressing in gently. Wrap logs tightly in the paper, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (To store longer, wrap log and paper tightly with plastic wrap.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap logs; with a serrated knife, slice dough 3/8 inch thick (if dough crumbles, leave at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes). Arrange slices, about 1 inch apart, on baking sheets.
• Bake until lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

RASPBERRY-ALMOND LAYERED ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• Shape dough into 2 disks. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Roll out each disk to a 1/8-inch thickness on a floured piece of parchment. Cut into 2-by-9-inch strips. Spread 2 teaspoons jam onto 1 strip; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons ground nut filling. Repeat, layering 3 to 5 more strips, ending with a plain strip.
• Wrap in parchment. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. Slice dough crosswise slightly thicker than 1/8 inch. Bake at 350 degrees on parchment-lined baking sheets until firm, 12 to 14 minutes.

SHAPED ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• Once the flour is incorporated according to dough recipe, beat in the desired mix-in. Divide dough into 2 pieces. Shape each into a 10-inch log (or a 10-inch-long triangular, rectangular, or square-shaped log). Coat each in ground nuts or sanding sugar, if using. Wrap in parchment. Refrigerate until very firm, about 2 hours.
• Slice dough crosswise slightly thicker than 1/8 inch. Reshape if needed. Bake at 350 degrees on parchment-lined baking sheets until firm, 12 to 14 minutes.