If you’ve been to a Christmas party in New York (or anywhere with a big Italian population), you've probably seen a big platter of Italian cookies of all types. There are pignoli cookies, cuccidati, spritz cookies, and so many more. But my (and many people’s) favorite is the rainbow cookie.

Also known as tri colore after the Italian flag, the layered cookie is made with spongy cake, apricot jam, and chocolate. Slicing it reveals the iconic green, white, and red stripes. They are labor intensive and packed with flavor that leans on almond extract and, for traditionalists, macaroon paste made from the pits of apricots.