Thursday, December 17, 2009

Snowballs




So I've actually done quite a bit of baking this year, mostly due to craft related responsibilities (like baking 100 chocolate chip cookies for the vendor lunches at Pile of Craft). I also did a bit of pie baking for Thanksgiving. Yesterday I had to make something to bring for a holiday potluck with the Charm City Craft Mafia so I decided on "Snowballs", which were (and still maybe are) my favorite holiday cookie. I had all the ingredients on hand so they were a snap to make up. My only rule for baking is that I a only allowed to do it when the baked goods will be leaving my house within 24 hours! Bring on the butter!!

Snowballs (or Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies)
1 cup of butter, room temp.
1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar (plus more for rolling)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (I put mine through a mini food processor)

Mix butter, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Mix the flour and salt, add to the butter mixture. Mix in nuts. Chill the dough for 1/2-1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place about an inch apart on a baking sheet. Cookies don't spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, roll in powdered sugar. Let the cookies cool and roll them in the sugar once more. Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooh... I love these! They are dangerous though. I had to throw my stash in the freezer after I made them because I kept eating too many of them!

pinkkiss said...

I know! That's why I only bake when I'm giving it away and it can't stay in my house:) Love your blog btw:)

Sister Creek Potter said...

My mother always made 'sand tarts' at Christmas. I've tried in the past but was disappointed in the result. I used your recipe last week and the 'sand tarts' were the best ever! Thanks for sharing your recipe. (BTW, it is the same as the one I was using before except for 1/4 cup more flour--made all the difference!)

Jennifer said...

yum, I was just thinking of these the other day! (reminiscing about the ones you made for the mob gathering!). I think I'll need to find a sifter and make a batch, as all our Christmas cookies are gone, and i'lm in mourning!