Croatian Cookies


 * Makes 1 panful
 * CROATIANCOOKIES.jpg

Ingredients

 * ½ lb sweet cream butter
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 1 egg yolk
 * ½ tsp salt
 * 2½ cups flour
 * ¾ cup finely ground walnuts (optional)
 * 4 Egg whites
 * 1 cup sugar
 * 1 to 2 cups raspberry preserves (can substitute with strawberry or boysenberry)
 * 1 cup finely ground walnuts (approx.)

Directions

 * 1) Cream butter, 1/2 cup sugar.
 * 2) Add egg yolk and salt.
 * 3) Add flour gradually and mix.with fork or hand
 * 4) Pat dough into thin layer in 12 x 12 inch pan.
 * 5) Spread preserves over dough
 * 6) Whip eggs whites until stiff
 * 7) Slowly add 1 cup sugar to egg whites until thick and shiny (meringue)
 * 8) Fold in 3/4 cup finely ground nuts.
 * 9) Spread egg mix evenly over preserves
 * 10) Sprinkle with remainder finely chopped nuts
 * 11) Bake at 350°F about 35– 45 minutes.(watch topping nuts for darkness or burning. Should be nice light brown)
 * 12) When warm, cut into squares.