Raspberry Strippers

    Yield: 2 dozen cookies / Units: 2 per cookie

    Source: Cooking Light


    Ingredients

      1/3 cup granulated sugar
      5 tablespoons butter, softened
      1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
      1 large egg white
      1 cup all-purpose flour
      2 tablespoons cornstarch
      1/4 teaspoon baking powder
      1/4 teaspoon salt
      Cooking spray
      1/3 cup raspberry or apricot preserves
      1/2 cup powdered sugar
      2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
      1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract


    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat granulated sugar and butter with a mixer at medium speed until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla and egg white; beat well. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.

    Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, stirring until well-blended. (Dough will be stiff.)

    Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each portion into a 12-inch log. Place logs 3 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Form a 1/2-inch-deep indentation down the length of each log using an index finger or end of a wooden spoon. Spoon preserves into the center.

    Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove logs to a cutting board.

    Combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract; stir well with a whisk. Drizzle sugar mixture over warm logs. Immediately cut each log diagonally into 12 slices. (Do not separate slices.) Cool 10 minutes; separate slices. Transfer slices to wire racks. Cool completely.