Old World Butter-Nut Drops

These beautiful little cookies with a decided old-world taste are perfect for Christmas. I got the recipe from my great-aunt who made it for the family Christmas dinner for years before she turned the recipe over to my mother. Candied cherries contribute to the beauty of the cookies and I suppose it is the Brazil nuts that contribute to the taste. All I know is, they are delicious! Chilling time is not included in the preparation time.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 40 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature (do not substitute)
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  egg, separated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup cake flour
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons  grated orange zest
• 1  tablespoon  grated lemon zest
• 1⁄2 cup brazil nut, finely ground
• 20  candied cherries, red and green

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar well. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Beat well.
2. Sift the cake flour and add to the butter mixture along with the juice and grated zest. Mix thoroughly and place in covered bowl. Chill several hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Using 1/2 teaspoon of the dough per ball, roll the dough into tiny balls. Dip the balls into slightly beaten egg white, then roll in the ground nuts.
5. Place on a greased cooky sheet one inch apart. Press 1/2 of a candied cherry on top of each.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until very lightly browned.