INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup butter , softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup nuts, ground

    • Filling

  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese , softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 3 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies
  • 1 drop red food coloring

    • Topping

  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.
  2. Beat in vanilla.
  3. Gradually addflour.
  4. Stir in nuts, if desired.
  5. Knead dough until pliable.
  6. Cover and refridgerate for one hour or until easy to handle.
  7. For the Filling:In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, milk, peppermint candy and food coloring until smooth.
  8. Roll tablespoonfuls of cookie dough into balls.
  9. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a deep indentation in the center of each ball.
  10. Fill with 1/4 teaspoon of the filling.
  11. Cover opening with 1/4 teaspoon of the dough; seal and reshape balls.
  12. For topping: combine candy and confectioner’s sugar.
  13. Roll filled balls in topping mixture.
  14. Place one inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  15. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until firm.
  16. Roll warm cookies in topping mixture again.
  17. Cool on wire racks.