Apricot Almond Ginger Gems
This original Triple Play recipe from Paula Waldoch of Milwaukee is a variation on an old Mexican wedding cake recipe. She recommends using California apricots, which are pricier but taste better.
Makes at least 36
Cookies: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour Filling: 3⁄4 cup chopped dried apricots (see note)
2 tablespoons chopped candied ginger 1 tablespoon almond paste, crumbled Glaze: 1 teaspoon instant ginger tea (found in Asian markets)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons water
1⁄2 cup apricot preserves
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
Additional dried apricots for topping
Preheat cookie sheets oven to with 400 parchment degrees. Line paper.
Mix cookie dough: In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Add powdered sugar and beat well. Gradually blend in salt, almond extract and flour until well mixed.
Make filling: In a separate bowl, mix dried apricots, candied ginger and almond paste until incorporated. Transfer to a small food processor and blend until mixture is finely chopped. Filling mixture will be slightly sticky.
With your hands, form at least 36 balls of filling using a heaping 1⁄4 teaspoon. This will be the filling for each cookie.
Form and bake cookies: Roll cookie dough into 1-inch balls with your hands. Flatten the ball in your hand and place a filling ball in center. Reshape dough into a ball to enclose filling and place on prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Repeat until all the filling or cookie dough is used.
Bake in preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes until set but not brown. Cool completely before glazing.
Make glaze: Dissolve instant ginger tea in the water. Thoroughly mix with apricot preserves until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
Dip cooled cookies into glaze. Top with additional chopped apricots — finely chopped or cut into decorative shapes. Allow glaze to set.
To store and serve, place cookies in paper mini-muffin cups, as glaze will be set but still slightly sticky.
Note: I use California apricots, which I found at Sendik’s.
Find more online: More cookie recipes at jsonline.com/cookies