Confetti Cutouts

By Hklbrries

This almond flavor butter cookie can be baked and frozen up to 12 weeks in advance. Use decorative cookie cutters, or create your own shapes freehand with a sharp knife. When you're ready to pack your gift, thaw the cookies at room temperature. Then spread the creamy, colorful milk chocolate filling to complete this sandwich delight.

Ingredients

• Filling:
• 2/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 cups plain chocolate candies (M&M's type)

Details

Servings 3

Preparation

Step 1

Cookies: Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; blend in eggs, milk and extract. Gradually add combined dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition. Chill dough several hours. Roll out a quarter portion of dough at a time on floured surface. Cut with floured 2 1/2-inch assorted shaped cookie cutters. Cut out small design in center of half the cookies with a smaller cutter or sharp knife. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 400 F for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are very light golden brown. Cool thoroughly.

Filling: Melt shortening in two-quart heavy saucepan; add candies. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly with metal spoon and pressing candies with back of spoon to break up. Chocolate will be almost melted and pieces of color coating will remain. Cool slightly or until of spreading consistency. Spread solid cookies with warm filling; top with cutout cookies, pressing lightly to secure. Chill about 30 minutes to set chocolate. Store at room temperature.