Italian Christmas Cookies Filled

These are cookies my grandmother used to make for christmas every year. we always filled them with pre-made mincemeat or the filling in the recipe, but she has down two others in the recipe as well - ground raisins with cinnamon, cloves and sugar/orange juice/sweet wine, and almond paste with brown sugar and rum flavoring (meant to be sweet). be creative with the frosting colors and sprinkles - that was the only part i was allowed to help with and we always tried to make them as pretty" as possible."

Steps

Sift together flours and salt.

Cut shortening into flour mixture.

Melt 1 / 2 + 1 / 3 cup sugar in 1 / 2 cup water and pour into flour mixture and mix.

Roll out and cut into circles the size of a large can like fruit comes in , about 2 1 / 2 inches in diameter.

Make the filling by mixing together nuts , 2 tbsp sugar , and raisins.

Place a tablespoonful of filling on one side of each circle.

Wet the edges of the circle , fold over , and seal with a fork.

Prick the top of all assembled cookies with a fork to vent.

Bake at 400f for 7-10 minutes , until just turning golden.

Let cool.

Dust lightly with powdered sugar or make frosting by mixing 1 tbsp water , powdered sugar , and vanilla.

If desired , frosting may be tinted with food coloring and sprinkles may be put on cookies immediately after frosting.

Ingredients

pastry flour, flour, salt, shortening, sugar, water, walnuts, raisins, powdered sugar, vanilla