Peace, Love and Rainbow Cookies

This sweet holiday recipe brings joy to the world

Issue 68: From Dana

Thanksgiving leftovers may still be occupying every available inch of the fridge, but society dictates that the holiday season is now officially upon us so I’m here to tell you about rainbow cookies.

We all have our signature cookie: the one everyone asks us to bring to the holiday party; the one your family expects to have on hand all through the month of December. Rainbow cookies have been mine for as long as I can remember, ever since I asked my mom to share her signature recipe with me. Known by many other names–tri-colors, Napoleans, Venetians, seven-layers, flag cookies and even stop lights–they’re more of a mini version of an almond layer cake with raspberry or apricot filling and a dark chocolate shell. In my opinion, they’re the most delicious “cookie” on the planet but really the only thing cookie-like about them is their diminutive size. 

These days, rainbow cookies are having a moment. Last holiday season, they popped up on cute sweaters and PJs; suddenly, there are rainbow cookie seasonal ice cream flavors and, perhaps the happiest news of all, many bakeries are offering them year-round because, honestly, why should we deny ourselves of the joy they bring during the other 11 months out of the year?

It may not be The Cookie, but it’s definitely an “It Cookie” on the holiday party scene.