Raspberry Sticks

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves
1/4 cup snipped dried apricots
1 tsp. finely shredded orange peel
1 12-oz. pkg. white baking pieces
2 Tbsp. shortening
2 Tbsp. red and green coarse sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large mixing bowl beat butter and 1/2 cup shortening 30 seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can; stir in any remaining flour. Knead dough together; shape into ball.
2. For filling, combine preserves, apricots, and peel; set aside. Divide dough in half. Roll each half between waxed paper to 6��12 inches; remove top paper. Spread filling lengthwise on half of each rectangle to within 1/2 inch of edges. Fold dough over filling; seal edges. Use paper to invert onto greased cookie sheet. Reseal edges with fork tines. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until browned. Cool on cookie sheet on rack. Transfer to board; cut in 3/4-inch-wide sticks. Return to cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes more or until crisp. Cool on rack.
3. In microwave melt baking pieces and 2 tablespoons shortening 1-1/2 to 2 minutes; stir twice. Dip cookies in mixture then sugar. Cool on waxed paper. Makes 30 cookies.
4. Store: in airtight container in layers separated by waxed paper at room temperature 3 days. Freeze 3 months.