Recipe(tried): Snowball Cookies

These have been a Christmas favorite in our family for as long as I can remember. My Mom used to hide half of a date in the center and roll them in granulated sugar. I make them with and without dates, the ones without I roll in powdered sugar.

SNOWBALL COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar,(sift before measuring)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour,(sift before measuring)

Cream butter and sugar together well. Add vanilla, salt and finely chopped pecans.

Add flour last, working in with your hands. Chill dough.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Roll individual portions of dough into small balls a bit smaller than the size of a walnut. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not very brown (they will be brown on the bottom). Remove to absorbent paper until excess grease is absorbed.

Cool. Roll in powdered or granulated sugar.

Makes about 50 cookies.