SPUMONI COOKIES

Steps:

• In bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt, and set aside.
• In large bowl, using electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, sugar and egg until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
• On low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix until smooth.
• Divide dough into thirds.
• With wooden spoon, stir melted chocolate into one portion.
• Stir pistachios - with enough green food coloring to make pastel dough - into the second portion.
• Stir cherries, almond extract and enough red coloring to make pink dough into the third portion.
• To distribute food coloring evenly, knead dough using palm of hand. Add a little coloring at a time until right shade is reached. Color will lighten some during baking.
• Line 12-by-2-by-2-inch empty wax-paper box with plastic wrap or wax paper.
• Press pink dough evenly into box.
• Cover with chocolate dough and then green dough.
• Press down firmly to make even layers.
• Cover and chill until firm, at least 3 hours.
• Fifteen minutes before baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut roll into 1/4-inch slices.
• Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven 7-11 minutes or until set and lightly browned around edges.
• Cool for 5 minutes on sheet and then transfer to rack and cool completely.