Tasty Thursday: Honey Sand Ball cookies

Obviously, we are huge fans of cake, but there are many other desserts that put a smile on our faces.  As we rifled through our recipe boxes looking for a recipe to share this week, Christina found a personal favorite given to her by her dad, John.  She has used this recipe so often that it is tattered, worn, and covered in stains!

A picture of Christina's well-loved recipe in her dad's handwriting!

This recipe is quick and easy to whip up (any baker worth her weight in salt will have all of these ingredients on hand at any given time), and the cookies themselves are great with a nice cup of tea or a cold glass of milk.  Enjoy!

Here's what they should look like (photo courtesy of Whats Cooking America)

Honey Sand Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• sifted powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and honey.  Add flour, nuts, vanilla, and salt.  Mix thoroughly, using hands if necessary. 
3. Shape into 1-inch balls.  Place balls 1 1/2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 to 16 minutes, or till the cookies are barely tinged with brown.
5. While cookies are still warm, roll in or sprinkle them with powdered sugar twice.  Makes 48 cookies.

 Happy baking!
Christina & Meghan