Pesche - Italian Peaches Cookies

Labor-intensive, but well worth the effort. These cookies are typically only served at weddings or special holidays because they require a gathering of women to increase the rate of production and the fun. My cousins and I spent countless holidays sneaking into the freezer to snag a tasty frozen peach. Finally, we convinced my nonna to teach us how to make this special peaches and we have enjoyed making them ever since. They freeze well and are actually better if frozen immediately and taken out when needed. These are meant to be enjoyed with many friends and family and they NEVER disappoint. In fact, after living in Italy for two years, I learned that my nonna's peaches were better than any I could find in Italy. I think some recipes have been corrupted by modern conveniences, but my nonna's recipe has not changed since she immigrated in the 50's.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 30-40
• Yields: 30-40 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  lb butter, room temperature
• 1 1⁄2 cups white sugar
• 4  eggs
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 6  cups flour
• 5  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons  almond extract
• 1 (6 ounce) package  of chocolate pudding made with homogenized milk
• 1 (6 ounce) package  of vanilla pudding made with homogenized milk

• finishing touches

• 1⁄2 cup water, and 1-2 tsp almond extract in each of two bowls
•  red and  yellow food coloring
•  white sugar (regular or berry sugar)
•  cupcake, papers

Directions

1. No need for a mixer - just cream butter and sugar with a wooden spoon, add eggs, continue to cream and then add lemon juice. Add almond extract (the amount is negotiable, and I tend to add a little bit more because I like mine very almondy). Combine baking powder with 3 cups of flour and add to slowly to creamed ingredients -- mix only with your hands! Add the rest of the flour until dough is not sticky. It takes some practice to get the texture perfect. You may have to add a little more flour to get it just right. You do not want it to be too greasy as the cookies will not rise well.
2. Roll cookies into balls with about 1 tbsp worth of dough. Bake cookies at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes -- watch until start to turn golden. Let cookies cool fully (sometimes I cook them the night before and let them sit out to dry). When cool, carve insides out to make room for pudding.
3. Make two bowls of water and vanilla extract. Add yellow food coloring to one and red and yellow to other. Add just a few drops as you just want a light coloring. Have another small bowl of sugar ready for dipping.
4. Fill one cookie with chocolate pudding and one with vanilla pudding and stick together. Dip "peach" half way into one colored water and then walf into the other. Sprinkle or dip in sugar (don't go overboard on sugar, you just need a little sprinkle as a finishing touch). Put in cupcake paper and freeze immediately. Take out and that when needed.