MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES

Traditionally these buttery cookies are served at weddings and other festive occasions in Mexico. They are perfect to give as gifts. Use colorful cellophane bags with a big ribbon, or pile high on a white doily on a glass plate and wrap with cellophane and a bow. For variety, place confectioners' sugar in a plastic bag, rub in a few drops of your favorite coloring. Red or green coloring will make the decorating sugar pastel pink or pastel green.

    1 cup confectioners' sugar
    1 cup butter, softened
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
    2 cups confectioners' sugar for decorating
    Coloring

1.  Preheat the oven to 325° .

2.  In a large bowl, sift the confectioners' sugar to remove lumps.

3.  Cream the butter with the sugar. Stir in the vanilla. Then, stir
     in the flour and nuts.

4.  Set 1-inch balls on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the
    preheated oven for 20 minutes.

5.  Cookies seem to stay pale in color during the baking process.
     While still warm, toss each cookie gently in decorating sugar.
     Repeat when cool.

     Makes 1 party plate