Ciao a tutti, As baking season returns I thought it would be a good idea to repeat a post from last year, sharing a fav family recipe that winds up to be a huge hit. Enjoy & happy baking!
Christmas is in full swing at PatriciaG Loves Italy. 'Tis the season to revisit treasured holiday decorations, favorite tunes, tree ornaments, and of course....recipes! Oh yes, the recipes!
I’d like to share a family favorite with you, in case you’d like to whip up a batch of your own in time for Christmas. (Sorry to my friends outside U.S. you’ll have to do your own converting to grams/kilos. For all the time I’ve spent in Italia you’d think I’d have this down by now. tsk tsk) Baking these cookies, and decorating my home, remind me of the wonderful Christmas’ past, and I send some lovin up to the heavens in gratitude, for instilling such heartwarming traditions. Some of my loved ones may not be here physically, but I feel like they’re visiting me as I recreate these wonderful rituals & start new traditions of my own.
Ok so here goes....drumroll here.......
Walnut Butter Ball Cookies
Ingredients:
1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 tsp salt
4 cups sifted flour
2 cups finely chopped walnuts
1 bag confectioners’ sugar - for coating the cookies
Go for it:
- Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and salt.
- Beat mixture until it is combined well.
- Add flour, beat the dough until it is combined.
- Fold in the walnuts. I like to use a wooden spoon.
- Chill dough, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight. (honestly, I do not have time for this chilling biz, so I did it for 1/2 hour and they turned out fine)
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. I use a teaspoon as a gauge.
- Arrange balls about 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Note: don’t grease cookie sheet.
- Bake in center of a 350° oven for 8 - 12 minutes
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the sheets
- Toss the warm cookies in a bowl of confectioners’ sugar - coat well
Makes approximately 150 cookies (if you don't eat the cookie dough as you're going along.)
Enjoy, Merry Christmas & Big Love, PatriciaG
