Raspberry Cookies

Makes 12 to 24 depending on heart size

When Daria decided to bring Jurij to meet the family, I made these cookies in a heart shape for the first time to symbolize the Canadian love that was growing. To my delight Jurij proclaimed the cookies his favorite and ate all of them to the last crumb. Since then, all family gatherings with Jurij in attendance must have these cookies.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Microwave jam to a liquid consistency and set aside to cool.
2. Combine butter and nuts in food processor or by hand. Add sugar and flour and mix until dough is smooth.
3. Divide dough into four equal parts and flatten each part to 1/4 inch thickness on a piece of wax paper large enough to wrap it.
4. Chill these packages in refrigerator until dough can be rolled. Usually a few hours or overnight.
5. Take out one package at a time, roll between two pieces of wax paper to a 1/8 inch thickness.
6. Cut into 1 1/2 inch rounds or any size hearts. Cut 3/4 inch hole in center of half the rounds or cut smaller heart in center of half the hearts.
7. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake 7 to 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Use timer and monitor baking as they can burn quickly.
8. Cool in pan on racks before removing cookies to assemble.
9. Once cookies and jam are cooled completely, spread jam on rounds/hearts without holes/hearts and cover with rounds or hearts with a hole or a heart cut out in center.
10. Optional: Can sprinkle the top cookie form with confectioner's sugar before placing over jam in button cookie part. However, Jurij prefers them without the confectioner's sugar.