Walnut Melts

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 4 ounces margarine (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
• 2 cups sifted or pre-sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cover cookie sheets with baking parchment and set aside.
3. Blend the butter and margarine with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer at the slowest speed.
4. Add the vanilla extract and 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar, beating until combined.
5. Mix the flour and salt.
6. Gradually add the flour to the creamed mixture and beat it until a soft dough forms.
7. Add the walnuts and stir until incorporated.
8. With your hands, form the dough into 1 inch balls and place them two inches apart on parchment-lined pans. Press each ball slightly in the center. They will flatten as they bake.
9. Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Toss the warm cookies in remaining confectioners' sugar.