Butter-Nut Drops

mianbao's Note:

This is from a cookbook issued by the Culinary Arts Institute in 1949, that my mother used as a young bride. I especially thought these cookies were good, though they do take some time. If you can't find Brazil nuts, you could substitute some other variety. Cooking time is for one batch.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 40 cookies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, separated
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon, zest of
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup brazil nut, chopped
• 20 candied cherries

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar well.
2. Add egg yolk, vanilla, orange and lemon zest and salt; beat well.
3. Stir in lemon juice and flour.
4. Cover and chill 3 or more hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350F.
6. Roll dough into 40 small balls of about 1/2 rounded teaspoon each.
7. Dip balls into the slightly beaten egg white, then roll in the chopped nuts.
8. Place 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet, and press 1/2 candied cherry on top of each.
9. Bake 25 minutes.

Reviews

[Boomette]

Wonderful flavor of citrus. I rolled them in chopped walnuts. And used orange cherries. The taste is so good with the citrus/walnuts/cherry. Thanks Mianbao :) Made for your win in Bargain Basement tag game

[pj lin]

After i've made some different kind of "brazil nut" cookies, I have to say I love the combination of cinnamon and bazil nut more than of citris(lemon or orange) and brazil nuts.

[Kittencalskitchen]

Mainbao, these cookies are so good! and very habit forming I may add. I subbed the Brazil nuts for very finely chopped walnuts. I actually made up the dough last evening and baked them this morning. I didn't get 40 cookies, I only got 30 something, I must have rolled them a bit too large, anyway they are truly delicious! thank you for sharing this wonderful cookie recipe!....Kittencal:)