Walnut Cheesecake Cookies

This has been a favorite Christmas cookie for years -- a bit of trouble to make but well worth it. Melt in your mouth goodness.

• Calories: 260 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
• ¼ cup apricot preserves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Cream butter, cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon peel and salt until fluffy. Gradually mix in confectioners' sugar, then the flour to make stiff dough.

Step 3

Chill dough for 2 hours.

Step 4

Shape dough into 30 - one inch balls.

Step 5

Beat egg white until foamy. Dip balls in egg white then roll in chopped nuts. Arrange 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet and make a depression in each with your thumb.

Step 6

Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cookies begin to brown on the bottoms. Carefully remove to wire rack and while hot fill each depression with 1/2 teaspoon of apricot preserves or your favorite jam.