Christmas Cookies - Russian Teacakes

  

Russian Teacakes (makes 3 dozen)

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cream cheese **see note**
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. 
3. Mix in the chopped walnuts. 
4. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. 
6. When cooled enough to touch, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. Let cool and roll a second time.

Notes
I had to add some water to make them stick together
You can also use 1 cup of butter if you don't like cream cheese.
I put the chopped walnuts in a teflon saute pan and toasted them.  Watch them so they don't burn.
I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.