RUSSIAN JAM BISCUITS FOR TEA TIME

Steps:

• 1. Sift all your dry ingredients into a large bowl.
• 2. Now in the center of the dry ingredients make a hole and the remaining dough ingredients. Knead this all together until combined well.
• 3. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 2 to 3 hours.
• 4. Remove dough from frig and cut into four equal pieces.
• 5. To assemble: start by rolling out one piece of dough onto a floured work surface, into a nice circle or triangular shape. Now spread bluberry jam or preserves over entire circle, follow with blackberry jam or preserves layer. (you can use your own combination of jams or use just one kind). Sprinkle over the jam with raisins and then repeat using the nuts.
• 6. In jelly roll fashion roll the dough up nicely. Using a pastry brush brush the top and sides of the roll with egg white and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
• 7. Cut the roll into 1 to 1 1/2 inch slices (about 10 to 12 slices per roll)and place on lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. (Making sure the sugared side is up)
• 8. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. (You can sprinkle while hot with additional sugar or drizzle them lightly with a glaze of powdered sugar, milk and vanilla)
• 9. FOR OPTIONAL NUT FILLING:BRING WATER AND SUGAR TO A BOIL ON THE STOVE IN A SMALL SAUCEPAN. nOW ADD THE ORANGE ZEST AND ALLOW TO SIMMER FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES.REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ALLOW TO COOL.ADD NUTS TO THIS COOLED SYRUP AND MIX TO COMBINE THOROUGHLY. SPREAD THIS OVER THE DOUGH INSTEAD OF THE JAM OR PRESERVES.