Ingredients

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup butter , 2 sticks , melted
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 drops red food coloring , may need more
3 drops green food coloring , may need more
1/2 cup raspberry jam , seedless , divided
6 ounces semisweet chocolate , divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil , divided
Rainbow cookies are a popular Italian-American dessert that are typically served during festive occasions such as Christmas, Easter, and weddings. They consist of small almond cakes that are layered with brightly colored raspberry jam and coated in chocolate. The colorful layers are said to represent the colors of the Italian flag, while the almond flavor is reminiscent of traditional Italian desserts like amaretti cookies. While the exact origin of the rainbow cookie is unknown, it is believed to have been created in New York City in the early 1900s by Italian immigrants who wanted to bring a taste of their homeland to America. Today, rainbow cookies are a beloved holiday treat that are often given as gifts or served at holiday parties and other celebrations.

Instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2.In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until smooth.
3.Add flour and almond extract, and continue to blend well.
4.Slowly mix in melted butter until fully incorporated.
5.Divide the batter equally between three bowls.
6.Add red food coloring to one bowl and green to another, and stir until evenly colored.
7.In the third bowl, leave the batter plain and smooth.
8.Pour the green batter into the bottom of the prepared pan, and spread evenly.
9.Then, do the same with the plain and red batters, pouring each over the last.
10.Bake the rainbow cookie layers for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
11.Cool the cakes for 10 minutes before removing them from the pan and placing them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
12.Reserve 1/4 cup of the raspberry jam in a small bowl, and heat the remaining jam in a small saucepan over low heat until it is smooth and melted.
13.Spread the melted raspberry jam in a thin layer over the cooled cake layers, stacking them on top of each other in the order of red, white, and then green.
14.Melt half of the chocolate and half of the oil together in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
15.Spread the chocolate over the top of the stacked cake, and let it sit for a few minutes until it has set.
16.Melt the remaining chocolate and oil in the same manner, and drizzle it over the first layer of chocolate in a striped pattern that runs perpendicular to the stripes in the cake.
17.Allow the chocolate to cool and set completely before slicing and serving the cake.

PROS

Colorful, festive, and easy to make, these rainbow cookies are sure to be a hit at any party or holiday gathering.

The raspberry jam and chocolate layers add a delicious sweetness to the almond-flavored cake.

CONS

These cookies are high in sugar and fat due to the multiple layers of jam and chocolate, and they should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

They can also be time-consuming to prepare and assemble.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While these cookies are not particularly healthy, almonds contain healthy fats, fiber, protein, and various nutrients that can help lower the risk of heart disease and provide other health benefits.
Raspberry jam is a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it has been linked to improved heart health, digestion, and inflammation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.