SPUMONI SLICES - ITALIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat shortening and margarine or butter about 30 seconds or till softened.
• Add half the flour, the sugar, egg, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoons salt.
• Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
• Stir in remaining flour.
• Divide dough into thirds.
• Into one portion, mix chocolate and 2 teaspoons of the milk.
• Into second portion, mix cherries.
• Into third portion mix nuts, remaining milk, flavoring, and enough green food coloring to tint dough.
• To shape dough, line bottom and sides of an 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan with clear plastic wrap.
• Press pink dough evenly in pan.
• Top with chocolate dough.
• Top with green dough.
• Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Invert pan; remove dough.
• Remove plastic wrap.
• Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices; cut each slice crosswise into three pieces.
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake in 375 oven 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned.
• Remove and cool on rack.
• Drizzle with powdered sugar icing tinted green or with melted chocolate.