DANISH WEDDING COOKIES

Danish wedding cookies similar to this recipe once were given as good luck symbols to couples celebrating their nuptials. The marriage of the walnuts and sugars represented “bumps in the road” and the “sweetness that coats a happy marriage.”

You needn’t be a bride or a groom to enjoy these delightful confections, however. The trouble is, these cookies are so good fresh from the oven that you may have a hard time keeping your family away until they’ve cooled enough to dust with confectioners’ sugar.

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Confectioners’ sugar for coating

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using an electric mixer, cream sugar and butter in a large bowl until blended.

Add cream cheese, increase speed to high, and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, occasionally scraping down sides with spatula.

Beat in vanilla and almond extracts.

Gently fold in flour and walnuts and stir until blended. Lightly flour hands and roll dough into 1-inch balls. Gently press balls flat with bottom of a small glass.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until lightly browned and puffy, about 14 to 18 minutes. Allow cookies to cool in pan for about 2 minutes; transfer to wire rack to cool briefly.

While cookies are still warm, toss them in a quart- or gallon-size plastic bag filled with confectioners’ sugar. Remove and return to wire rack to cool completely.

Repeat baking with remaining dough.