TUESDAY – DECEMBER 9, 2014

I collect TempTations by Tara, a stoneware freezer-to-oven-to-table set of cooing/storage vessels sold on QVC.  I have collected it for eleven years and each piece that is brought out seems to get more beautiful with each one.  The company is oiwned ad the products are designed by Tara McConnell.

Besides beg on QVC weekly, Tara is also on Pinterest and FaceBook, where she shares some wonderful recipes to use on the various pieces in her collection.  Today I’m sharing one that she gave for a beautiful Christmas cookie.  Hope you enjoy it!

HOLIDAY PINWHEEL COOKIES

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, soft

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1/2  teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon mint extract

5 cups flour

1/2  teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4  teaspoon red gel food coloring

1/4  teaspoon green gel food coloring

1 (6 ounce) jar white nonpareils

Note: Gel food coloring works best because the color is highly concentrated.  You can purchase it at any craft store that sells baking supplies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Slowly mix in eggs, vanilla and mint extract until smooth.  Blend in flour, salt and baking powder until dough comes together.

Remove dough from bowl and divide into four equal parts.  Place one part back in the mixing bowl along with red food coloring.  Blend until the color is evenly distributed.  Scrape out of bowl onto a piece of plastic wrap.  Wrap up tightly in a ball.  Add another 1/4  piece of dough to mixing bowl.  Repeat process with green food coloring.  Wrap in plastic.  Wrap the remaining two pieces of dough in plastic as well.  Place all four wrapped dough balls in the refrigerator for one hour.

Unroll each dough ball.  On a floured surface roll out each one into a ¼ inch thick rectangle.  Brush both the red and green rectangle very lightly with water.

Carefully place one of the white rectangles on top of each colored rectangle.  Lightly press down with your hands to help them stick.  Roll up each rectangle into a log, starting with the long side.  Brush the edge with water to help log stick together.

Place nonpareils in a long shallow dish.  For easy handling, cut each log in half and brush lightly with water.  Roll in nonpareils until completely coated.  Wrap each log in plastic wrap and place in 13" x 9" pan.  Chill for at least 2 hours.

Unwrap each log and slice into 1/2  inch pieces.  Lay 12 cookies on baking sheet, 1 inch apart.  Bake for 15 – 18  minutes.  Allow to cool slightly before removing.  Continue until all cookies are baked.