HUNGARIAN WALNUT COOKIES



As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmas time. Now I make them for my own family.
~Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
3 large egg whites
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
3-1/2 cups ground walnuts
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until blended. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough into three portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.

Preheat oven to 375°. For filling, in a small bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on medium after each addition until well blended. Stir in walnuts.

Generously coat a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll one portion of dough into a 12-in. square, about 1/8-in. thick, sprinkling with additional confectioners' sugar as necessary to coat well. Cut into sixteen 3-in. squares.

Shape 2 teaspoons filling into a small log, about 2 in. long. Place diagonally onto a square. Overlap opposite corners of dough over filling; pinch tightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Bake 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

NOTES:

To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator.

Freeze option: Freeze cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw before serving. If desired, dust with additional confectioners' sugar. Yield: 4 dozen.