Spumoni Cookies

SPUMONI COOKIES

About 12 dozen cookies

2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar
2 eggs
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon rum extract
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon almond extract
green food color
½ cup finely chopped pistachios
red food color
½ cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat eggs into mixture.
Add flour, baking soda and salt, and combine all well.
Divide dough into four parts.
Add ½ teaspoon rum extract to first part.
Add ½ teaspoon rum extract and 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to second part.
Add ½ teaspoon almond extract, green food color and chopped pistachios to third part.
Add ½ teaspoon almond extract, red food color and chopped cherries to fourth part.
Roll each part into a long rope. 
Lay all four ropes together and roll to form a vari-colored log.
(It may be easier to use smaller portions of the ropes, and form two or three logs.)
Wrap logs in foil and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
Slice chilled dough ¼” thick and arrange on cookie sheets that are lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350* 8 – 10 minutes, until edges are just beginning to turn golden.
Cool on racks.

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