neopolitancookies

This a favorite my family and others we have shared them with. We make them every year. My dad even cuts the batch into 3rds and freezes it so he can have some during the rest of the year.

These are Icebox type cookies. (About Cookie Types) The dough is formed into a brick then sliced into bars and baked. Almost like the ready made cookie dough you can buy at the store. (Chocolate chips are usually "drop" cookies but are made bar style for convenience.)

Prepare the dough 8-12 hours in advance. It will need to cool in the fridge overnight before baking.

Mix the Light Dough and Dark Dough in separate bowls. Blend the sugars and butter first. Then add egg, spices and extract. Blend. Sift the baking powder and salt in with the flour. Mix in the flour a third at a time. Last blend in the nuts, chocolate, or Candied cherries last.

Line a bread loaf pan with wax paper using 2 pieces. First sideways leaving enough to wrap with. Then a second piece lengthwise with a little hangover. (Pictures arriving soon)

Spoon in Half the dark Dough and pack down with clean hands or a with a piece of plastic wrap. Add all of the light dough and pack again. Then add the remaining dark dough and pack down folding the wax paper over. Place in the fridge overnight or for about 8 -12 hours.

Remove from the pan and peel away the wax paper. Cut Lengthwise into thirds creating 3 long bars. Cut each bar into slices about half an inch thick. It may take some practice to cut without squashing the dough.

Bake on cookie sheet in Preheated oven at 350^ until middle dough is lightly brown.

Let cool then place on cooling rack.