Recipe: Rainbow Ribbons Refrigerator Cookies

Rainbow Ribbons Refrigerator Cookies
Source: rec.food.recipes/Vicki Liszewski
Makes about 4 dozen

3 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs

1 tsp. instant espresso coffee powder
2 tsp. hot tap water
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. anise extract
green food coloring
red food coloring

4 hours or up to 1 week ahead:

Combine first six ingredients in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until well blended. Divide dough into thirds; place each in a bowl. In a cup, stir instant espresso and 2 teaspoons hot tap water until dissolved. Stir espresso mixture and cocoa into one third of dough; with hand, knead until well blended. To second third of dough, add anise extract and enough green food coloring to tint dough a pretty green; knead until well blended. To remaining dough, add enough red food coloring to tint dough pink; knead until well blended. Shape each dough into a ball; wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to handle (or, place dough in freezer 30 minutes).

On sheet of waxed paper* with floured rolling pin, roll pink dough into 12x7 1/2-inch rectangle. On another sheet of waxed paper, roll chocolate dough into 12x7 1/2-inch rectangle. On another sheet of waxed paper, roll green dough into 12x7 1/2-inch rectangle. Invert chocolate dough onto pink dough; invert green dough onto chocolate dough. Fold dough into thirds: Starting from one 12-inch side, fold one third of dough over middle one third; fold opposite one third over both to make 12x2 1/2-inch rectangular log. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to slice (or place dough in freezer 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut dough cross-wise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place slices, cut-side down, on ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake 10 minutes or until very lightly browned around edges. Remove to wire rack to cool. Store in tightly covered container and use within 1 week.

* To keep waxed paper from slipping on counter, dampen counter slightly with a sponge before laying down waxed paper.