Hidden Rainbow Cookies
Hidden Rainbow Cookies are vibrant layered almond cakes filled with fruity jams and coated in smooth dark chocolate. These gluten-free treats offer a delightful balance of rich almond flavor, bright fruitiness, and a glossy chocolate finish. Perfect for special occasions or a colorful snack, they impress both visually and in taste.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Almond Batter
- 7 ounces almond paste
- 3 large egg whites
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Red food coloring (gel or powder)
- Green food coloring (gel or powder)
- Yellow food coloring (gel or powder)
Jam Layers
- Raspberry jam
- Apricot jam
- Lemon jam
Coating
- 8 ounces dark chocolate (for melting and coating)
- Prepare the Almond Batter: Start by creaming almond paste with sugar until smooth and creamy. Gradually fold in whipped egg whites to create a light and fluffy batter that will bake into tender layers.
- Divide and Color the Batter: Separate the batter into three equal portions and gently mix in your red, green, and yellow food coloring. This is where the vibrant, signature look begins to take shape.
- Bake Thin Almond Cake Layers: Spread each colored batter evenly on lined baking sheets to form thin layers. Bake them until set and lightly golden to maintain softness yet sturdy enough for stacking.
- Assemble the Layers with Jam: Once cooled, spread a thin layer of raspberry, apricot, or lemon jam between each colored almond cake layer. Carefully stack them to build the colorful rainbow effect.
- Chill and Slice: Press the layered cake gently and refrigerate to firm up the stack, which makes slicing clean and easy without crumbling.
- Coat with Chocolate: Dip the sliced cookies in melted dark chocolate, ensuring complete coverage. Place them on wax paper to set into glossy, chocolate-covered gems.
Notes
- Use high-quality almond paste for better flavor and texture.
- Don’t overmix batter; gently fold egg whites to keep the mixture airy.
- Chill the cake stack before slicing to get clean and neat slices.
- Use a serrated knife for cutting through chocolate and layers without crushing.
- Temper your chocolate for a shiny finish and crisp snap.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Hidden Rainbow Cookies, almond cookies, layered cookies, gluten-free dessert, rainbow cookies, Italian cookies