We are almost finished the 6th annual Sally’s Cookie Palooza! Today is day 9 of my annual Christmas cookie countdown. Let’s look back at all the recipes published so far this year: Day 9 is one of my favorites—Neapolitan Cookies with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. These cookies are shaped in a loaf pan and made from just 1 cookie dough.
Neapolitan Cookies from 1 Base Cookie Dough
When I was writing Sally’s Cookie Addiction, my latest cookbook, I tested a basic vanilla butter cookie recipe. I turned this vanilla butter cookie recipe into my pinwheel cookies found on page 62. The base dough is very similar to my butter cookies, chocolate butter cookies, and spritz cookies. I LOVE this basic cookie dough and you can flavor it, shape it, and layer it in so many ways including my mint chocolate checkerboard cookies, pinwheel cookies, and today’s neapolitan cookies. Here’s what I love about today’s recipe:
EASY. Made from just 1 cookie dough. SIMPLE TO SHAPE. No ruler or rolling pin needed. Use a loaf pan. (For another easy cookie recipe that bakes up in a pan, try my shortbread wedges!) BUTTERY AND SWEET. I love their flavor. SOFT. Crunchy crumbly edges and thick, soft centers. FUN WITH FLAVORS. Spruce up the vanilla layer with crushed walnuts or a little coconut extract. Switch out raspberry jam/extract for the strawberry. Add a pinch of espresso powder to the chocolate dough for a mocha flavor. Yum! These flavorful little cookies are such a fun addition to any plate of Christmas cookies.
Prepare the base cookie dough, then divide it into 3 portions. One portion will be your vanilla dough, so set that aside. The other two portions will be your strawberry cookie dough and chocolate cookie dough.
Flavor the Cookie Doughs
To make each flavor, place the portion of dough back in the mixer along with the flavoring ingredients listed in the recipe below. We’re using melted chocolate and cocoa powder in the chocolate cookie dough and strawberry jam, almond extract, and a drop of red/pink food coloring to brighten up the pink color. Optional but recommended: a little strawberry extract. Makes a BIG difference. The strawberry cookie dough also needs extra flour to offset the wet strawberry jam.
The EASY Way to Shape Neapolitan Cookies
Put away your ruler and rolling pin because all you need are your hands and a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper, then press/layer the cookie doughs in. Any order is fine, but I recommend the following:
Strawberry cookie dough on the bottom Vanilla cookie dough in the center Chocolate cookie dough on top
There’s a little more strawberry cookie dough because we added extra flour, so it’s best that it’s the base of the neapolitan cookies. And I find the vanilla cookie dough stands out the most when it’s in the center. Just my opinion! This cookie dough needs to chill. Chill the cookie dough inside the loaf pan in the refrigerator or freezer. Once chilled, remove from the loaf pan using the parchment paper overhang on the sides. Slice the “loaf” in half lengthwise, then slice each into 1/2 inch thick cookies. Thicker cookies = softer cookies. 🙂 This is optional—try brushing the shaped cookies with egg white + water and sprinkling with coarse sugar. Adds a lovely sparkle and crunch! See my recipe note below—the cookie dough uses 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, so this is the perfect place to use up that leftover egg white. As these chocolate ginger cookies will tell you… a chocolate dip is the best finishing touch. You need melted chocolate for the chocolate cookie dough layer, so save a little extra for dipping the baked cookies. See my recipe note for instructions. Aren’t these 3 layered butter cookies gorgeous?! And couldn’t be easier to shape. We absolutely loved these and I definitely recommend that strawberry extract for the strawberry dough. (You can find it in the spice aisle of most major grocery stores.) Let me know if you make these 1 dough neapolitan cookies!
What is Sally’s Cookie Palooza?
Sally’s Cookie Palooza is a tradition since 2013. Every December we countdown to Christmas with 10 new cookie recipes in a row. Over the next two weeks, I’m publishing 10 brand new cookie recipes as well as giveaways, the December Baking Challenge, Christmas cookie video tutorials, and so much more. This is the biggest, most delicious event of the year! Sign up for instant updates and you’ll receive a free email alert whenever I publish a new recipe. 🙂 Click to see Sally’s Cookie Palooza over the years!
