Helen's Nut Snowballs

Helen's Nut Snowballs, originally uploaded by Sweet Sugarplums.

Stephanie from Joy of Baking.com writes, "These melt-in-your mouth, shortbread-like cookies go by many names; a Russian Tea Cake, a Mexican Wedding Cake, an Italian Butter Nut, a Southern Pecan Butterball, a Snowdrop, a Viennese Sugar Ball and a Snowball. They are very popular, not only during the Christmas season, but also at weddings, christenings, and other festive occasions. Looking at these cookies you may think they were Melting Moments, but the two differ in that Mexican Wedding Cakes contain ground nuts (ground pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts). The secret to making these cookies taste their best is to use a high quality butter and pure vanilla extract."

These make an appearance every year on the cookie platter. Helen is a good friend who gave me several of her cookie recipes - each is simple to make and always so good.

HELEN'S NUT SNOWBALLS
Makes 48 cookies

2 cups butter, softened (1 pound)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups pecans, oil-roasted, finely chopped

Cream the butter. Beat in the powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

Add flavorings and mix well.

Stir in flour and nuts and mix well.

Form dough into small balls. Arrange on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. While cookies are still warm, roll in powdered sugar.

Per Serving: 142 Calories; 11g Fat (68.4% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 21mg Cholesterol; 78mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.