Cookie Swap: 7 Layer Italian Rainbow Cookies

On Monday, I’ll be participating in Carrots ‘n Cake’s online bake sale with my chocolate dipped shortbread! Stop on over this Monday to check it out and buy some delicious baked goods for a great cause!

Happy Friday! Whew this week flew by in a flash! I'm super excited today because tonight is Harry Potter and tomorrow is Christmas Tree Time! (Kind of like tee shirt time, but for Christmas trees ;) ) Last night I scoured Nordstrom Rack with my sister Kimberly and got some great sweaters for the cold season. Then, after I pryed Shaun away from the Eagles game (Vick is his fantasy quarterback...) we watched Fringe (ooooh Joshua Jackson...), which has become our favorite show this season (sorry Dexter, we still love you both...just differently)...is anyone watching? I know it's on the verge of getting the ax from Fox (and I will shed a river of tears when it does), but it's really been great TV this season!

photo: fanpop.com

So anyway, back to Friday and yummy things. Today I'm happy to share with you another Cookie Swap recipe that comes from TAA reader and friend, Barbara. When Barbara shared her recipe for rainbow cookies, I was over the moon with excitement. To me, this type of cookie is so special. I remember always loving them as a child. The almond paste give amazing flavor while the texture is almost cake-like. The only bummer about getting these at a bakery? When they come packed in assortment of cookies, somehow there are never enough of these delicious little guys. And since I've been wanting to try making these on my own for some time (you know, so that I have a never-ending supply of them at my disposal), this recipe couldn't have come at a better time!

photo: mangiabennepasta.com

Here's her note:

Here is a good one that I would like to share with you. These cookies have many different names - Italian Wedding cookies, Rainbow cookies, 7 layer cookies. My recipe is pretty good, I compare it to Ferrara's in NYC.

7 Layer Italian Rainbow Cookies
1 8 oz tube/can of almond paste
1 C butter
1 C sugar
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
2 C all purpose flour, sifted
red and green food coloring
1/4 apricot jam or seedless rasp jam
6 oz semisweet chocolate bits

Preheat to 350, and grease bottom of 13 x9 pans. Line pans with greased wax paper. Using a fork, break up almond filling in bowl. Add butter, sugar and egg yolks, beating until fluffy at medium speed. Mix in flour with wooden spoon. In another bowl (with a mixer), beat egg whites until peaks form and then add it to the almond mixture. Separate batter into 3 bowls and add food coloring to two of the bowls.

Pour into pans and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown. Invert onto wire racks and cool. Turn the cakes right side up and spread with jam, layering the cakes together. Set on cutting board, cover with clear wrap and weigh down with a book or something heavy and refrigerate overnite. The next day, melt chocolate and spread on the top and sides of cookies. Let cool and then cut into squares.

Cheers! 
Barbara

So what do you think? Doesn't this sound like a recipe for the record books? I, for one, cannot wait to try them! And for our question of the day: What are your plans for this fabulous weekend ahead?

Psst...want to contribute your favorite cookie recipe to our holiday cookie swap? Send us an email at theavidappetite@gmail.com and we'll do our best to post it in the coming weeks! Meanwhile, if you missed yesterday's recipe, you can check it out here.

Starbucks Holiday Cups

Love 'em? Hate 'em? Couldn't care less about 'em?

Though I'm anti-Starbucks on principle, I can't deny my love for the delicious specialty drinks (though I've even managed to find a way around that). I always love when the holiday cups make their appearance, signifying the kick off of the holiday season. It seems like this year is earlier than usual, no? I pass a giant Starbucks on my way to work in the morning and have seen many a red cup gracing the hands of bustling New Yorkers. My favorite beverage? It's a tie between the Caramel Apple Cider (oh so sweet and warming) and the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (a mouth-watering treat that disappeared after only one holiday season. I'm crossing my fingers they will bring it back this year!). So the question of the day is: Are you a Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop fan? If so, what's your poison?

Psst...want to see more DIY specialty beverages? Add your picks in the comments and I'll devise some twists on coffee shop specials!

We'll always have summer

Though you wouldn't know it from the extremely warm temps here in New York, we've approached the final weekend of the summer and are already a few days into September. Can someone tell me how that happened?

I'm continuing my vagabondness (new word I came up with to describe my state of never being at home) this weekend with my inaugural trip to Westhampton for my friend Kelly's bacheloretty party! I'm over the moon with excitement to celebrate with my gals, explore a new place and did I mention that we will be doing a 3 stop vineyard tour?(!) My first one ever and I couldn't be more excited!

Anyhow, summer holiday weekends immediately make me think of family gatherings, picnics and of course, complete gluttony. So today I'm giving you a roundup of some fun summer dishes to assist in your enjoyment of this long weekend!

Pizza Dip

No matter the weather, this hot pizza dip is always, always, always a crowd pleaser. Bring it to any party and you will surely be the belle of the ball, so to speak. Oh, and did I mention that it couldn't be easier?

White Bean Dip

If you're a guest and not sure of the hostess' available oven space, perhaps this light and refreshing white bean dip will do the trick. With a gorgeous green hue and creamy texture, this dip is not only delicious but it's healthy to boot.

Grilled Goods

If you're hanging at home with nowhere to go, why not fire up your grill and enjoy some extra special eats? After all, is there anything prettier than perfectly grilled zucchini coins? How about Shaun's tailgating Yurgers?

Baked things

And it certainly wouldn't be a party without some sort of dessert and I have a laundry list of go-to desserts, like Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars, Pineapple Carrot Bars, or basic Yellow Cake with the Best Ever Chocolate Frosting. Meanwhile, I'll be enjoying zucchini bread and butterscotch chocolate chip cookie bars...but more on that later.

So there you have it. A roundup of some fun and yum-inducing eats that will immediately up your food cred at any Labor Day party. So what do you plan to enjoy this weekend? Any parties, picnics or getaways on the menu?