CUTOUT PUMPKIN SANDWICH COOKIES

Cutout Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies image

Apricot preserves peek out of these buttery, tender sugar cookies. Make them throughout the year with a variety of cookie cutter shapes. -Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
2 large eggs, separated
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup ground almonds
3/4 cup apricot preserves

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape dough into a ball; chill for 1 hour or until firm. , On a surface dusted with confectioners' sugar, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a 3-in. pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter. Cut a 1-1/2-in. pumpkin from the center of half the cookies and remove (set aside small pumpkin cutouts to bake separately). , Place on greased baking sheets. Beat egg whites until frothy. Combine almonds and remaining sugar. Brush each cookie with egg whites; sprinkle with almond mixture. Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove immediately to wire racks to cool completely. , Spread 1-1/2 teaspoons of apricot preserves on the bottoms of the solid cookies; place cookies with cutout centers, almond side up, over filling.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 111mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.