These are very easy to make and have their own festive look to them! You can get a little more decorative by mixing other things in with the nuts like sprinkles!
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 3/4 cups sifted plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Nut meats (walnuts or pecans), chopped
- Colored sugar (optional)
- Combine shortening and sugar and mix well.
- Beat in vanilla.
- Then beat in egg yolks until thickened and lemon colored.
- Stir in milk.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Blend into shortening mixture.
- Chill dough for about one hour in the refrigerator.
- Shape into balls and roll in nut meats or colored sugar.
- Place 3 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350F. for 12-15 minutes, until brown around the edges.
- Carefully remove from the oven.
- Remove cookies and place them on a rack to cool.
- When thoroughly cooled, store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Cookie Variations
Almond Cookies - Add 1 teaspoon almond flavoring and 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds instead of pecans to the batter.
Lemon Cookies - Add 1 teaspoon lemon extract and 2 teaspoons lemon zest to the batter.