Apricot-Filled Sandwich Cookies

Name: Apricot-Filled Sandwich Cookies
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: about 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup finely chopped walnuts; FILLING:; 2 cups dried apricots; 3/4 cup water; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; TOPPING:; 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 1/2 teaspoon shortening; 4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

I bake these delightful cookies every year for Christmas and when I share a tray of my homemade treats with the faculty at school, these are always the first to disappear! I've even had requests to make them for wedding receptions.—Deb Lyon, Bangor, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
FILLING:
2 cups dried apricots
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
TOPPING:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon shortening
4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, combine flour and walnuts; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
Shape into 1-1/2-in.-thick logs. Cut crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until bottoms begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool completely on pans on wire racks.
Meanwhile, for filling, combine apricots and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until apricots are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; cool to room temperature. Pulse 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon and apricots in a blender or food processor until smooth. Spread over bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.
For topping, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.