Recipe Corner: Walnut Orange Cookies

Crushed walnuts (or any nut of choice)

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a blender or processor, grind walnuts until very fine.

In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy.  Add walnuts to this mixture and all remaining ingredients except the confectioners’ sugar (garnish), and mix thoroughly.

Cover and chill dough for one hour.  Form dough into 1” balls, place on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes or until set but not brown.  Remove from oven and cool on a cookie rack.

Roll cookies in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder or crushed nuts while still warm.  For best results, re-roll again before serving.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

*Christine’s recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/

*Pecans, almonds or hazelnuts may be substituted for the walnuts for this recipe.