 |
Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 40 Minutes Servings: 12 |
|
To sweeten the school day, send along these soft sugar cookies with a homemade apple filling from Sharon Smith of Neosho, Missouri. The sandwich cutouts were taste-tested by my grandchildren, she affirms. They're certified kid-pleasers! To save time you can use purchased pie filling for the centers. Or instead of Painting the tops with food coloring simply sprinkle them with cinnamon. Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening |
1 cup sugar |
1 egg |
1/2 cup milk |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
3-1/2 cups king arthur unbleached all-purpose flour |
2 teaspoons cream of tartar |
1 teaspoon baking soda |
1 teaspoon salt |
filling: |
1/2 cup packed brown sugar |
2 teaspoons king arthur unbleached all-purpose flour |
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
3 medium tart apples, peeled and grated (about 2 cups) |
3/4 cup water |
glaze: |
4 tablespoons water |
red and green liquid food coloring |
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Divide in dough in half. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until easy to handle (dough will be soft).
2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the filling ingredients. Cook over medium heat until apples are softened and mixture is thickened; cool.
3. On a lightly floured surface roll out each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. apple cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Spread with 2 teaspoons of filling to within 1/4 in. of edge. Top with another cutout seal edges.
4. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons water and 18 drops red food coloring. In another small bowl, combine remaining water and 6 drops green food coloring. Using a pastry brush, paint apples red with green leaves. Yield: 2 dozen.
|
|