Nut Crescents

Photo: Lady Catherine Gourmet

Ingredients

1 cup whole walnuts

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened (do not use margarine)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon rum extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preparation

In a food processor combine walnuts and a ¼ cup sugar and finely grind.

In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and remaining sugar. Gradually add flour, ground-walnut mixture and rum and vanilla extracts; beat until blended. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, about 1 hour, or freeze about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven 325 degrees:

Work dough with lightly floured hands, shape rounded teaspoons of dough into 2 inch by ½ inch crescents. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake until edges are lightly browned, about 20 minutes

Dust cookies with confectioners’ sugar until well coated.