Snowball Cookies

Good morning! How are you and how are your Christmas preparations coming along? I do not want to alarms you but Christmas is a mere 7 days away! Can you believe it? It seems like we wait all year and then it just sneaks up on us!

Have you  been wrapping presents and baking cookies and getting all of your last minute preparations ready for the big day?  The stove has been on round the clock while I  bake delectable goodies for family and friends.

One of the cookies I always make are Snow Balls, otherwise known as Mexican Wedding Cakes, Russian Tea Cakes and probably about a hundred other names. Whatever they are called they are easy, delicious and a wonderful cookie to share with family and friends.

Snowball Cookies

1 cup of butter softened

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

21/2 cups powdered sugar, for coating cookies

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix butter on medium speed until creamy. Then blend in the powdered sugar and salt. Mix in vanilla extract. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and mix well, then add the flour until just combines. Stir in the nuts.

Scoop dough out 1 tablespoon at a time and roll into balls. Then place cookie balls onto baking sheets lined with parchment or Silphat baking sheets.

Bake for 16-18 minutes.

Remove from oven, let cool a few minutes and then place warm cookies into a zip lock bag or bowl and roll in the powdered sugar. Transfer to wire rack and once the cookie is cooled completely roll in powdered sugar again.

What are your last minute plans, parties, baking, shopping? Whatever you have planned, enjoy it! Have a great weekend!