Milan Cookies/ Lengua de Gato

Milan Cookies

I finally found a great recipe for Lengua de Gato, or 'Cat's Tongues' over at Panlasang Pinoy's site.
They worked perfectly, for Milan cookies. They were not as much of a pain, as I thought they would be, and they turned out even better than, Pepperidge Farms.
It's really important, for the ingredients to be well incorporated, after each addition. This requires the dough to be beaten, for longer periods.

1/2cup softened butter
1/2cup sugar
2egg whites
1/2tsp. vanilla
1/4tsp. salt
1cup flour

Filling:
1/4cup milk chocolate chips
1/2tsp. shortening
1/4cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 375*F.
Beat the butter, until fluffy.
Gradually add the sugar, and beat 2-minutes.
Add the egg whites and beat 3-minutes.
Beat in the salt and vanilla.
Gradually add the flour, and beat 3-minutes more.
Line baking sheets with parchment.
Using a decorating bag, fitted with a large round tip, pipe 2-1/2 to 3-inch lengths of the dough, for each cookie.
Bake 8 to10-minutes, or until they are set, and just beginning to brown.
Slide the parchment onto a surface, to cool completely.

Pulse the walnuts, in a spice grinder, or food processor, until they are finely chopped. Set aside.
Heat the chocolate and shortening, in a small bowl, in a microwave, until melted, and smooth.
Using the back of a teaspoon, spread a layer of chocolate on the bottom  of one cookie. Dip the chocolate side, into the chopped nuts, set aside.
Spread a layer of chocolate, onto another cookie, and top the first one with it. Press gently.
Repeat for the rest of the cookies. This made 2-1/2 dozen sandwiches. But that will vary, depending on the size you make them.

Process the walnuts, until they are very fine.

You need a large decorating tip, The largest I had, was a Wilton # 199 open star tip. They still came out smooth.

Bake until the edges, are just beginning to color. Immediately slide the parchment, onto a surface to cool.

Coat with chocolate and walnuts.