Linzer Sandwich Rings

Active Time:  20 Minutes Total Time:  1 Hour 30 Minutes Yield:  Makes about 36 cookies The combination of a ground almond pastry and raspberry jam is the basis for Linzertorte, a large version of these little cookies. Experiment with other types of jam and other nuts for the dough. RECIPE INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup ground walnuts or almonds Sifted powdered sugar 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

DIRECTIONS In a large mixing bowl beat the butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, baking powder, lemon peel, cinnamon, allspice, and salt and beat till combined. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour and ground walnuts or almonds with a wooden spoon. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 1 hour, or till dough is easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2- or 2 1/2-inch scalloped round, star-, or heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using a 1-inch cutter, cut out the centers of half of the unbaked cookies. Remove the centers and reroll dough to make more cookies. Bake cookies in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 7 to 9 minutes, or till edges are firm and bottoms are browned. Remove cookies and cool on a rack. TO ASSEMBLE: Sift powdered sugar over the tops of the cookies with cutouts in centers. Set aside. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of the jam onto the bottom of each cookie without a cutout; top with a cutout cookie, powdered sugar-side up. (Store cookies unassembled, then assemble them up to several hours before serving. Nutrition Facts per Serving Yield: Yield:  Makes about 36 cookies Calories: 98 Fat. Total: 5g Protein: 1g Carbohydrates, Total: 11g Sodium: 30mg % Cal. from Fat: 46% Cholesterol: 22mg