Traditional Mexican Wedding Cookies

My mom and I have been baking these for as long as I can remember. They are delectable butter-type cookies served as favors at traditional Mexican weddings. They also make a wonderful addition to any Christmas goodie platter.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1⁄4 cups  sifted flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped walnuts or 3⁄4 cup pecans
•  powdered sugar (for rolling baked cookies in)

Directions

1. Cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy; stir in vanilla.
2. Whisk together flour and salt; add gradually to butter mixture; stir in chopped nuts.
3. Chill dough if it seems too soft.
4. Form dough into 1 1/4" balls and place onto parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or just until the cookies start to turn light golden-brown; remove from oven and allow to cool slightly; while cookies are still warm (but NOT hot) remove them from baking sheets and roll, a few at a time, in powdered sugar until evenly coated; cool cookies completely on wire racks.
6. Cookies may (optionally) be rolled in powdered sugar a second time once cooled to room temperature.
7. NOTE: Forming dough into 1" balls will increase yield to 48 cookies.