The best Christmas cookie ever!

There are lots of things that remind people of Christmas...colorful flashing lights, Santa, crowded malls, reindeer, wreaths, etc.  In our family, many of our holiday memories revolve around food.  For us, it plays an important role when it comes to tradition.

One of the things I remember most from Christmases when I was a kid was my Aunt Maria's Hidden Kisses...aka the BEST cookies ever.  She used to bring them to my parents' house every Christmas Eve in a big shirt box.  The day she handed me the recipe and said, "it's your job now- have fun!" I was honored, and very excited.  It's definitely one of the best traditions we have for the holidays!

For you Christmas cookie snobs out there, a warning - these aren't the prettiest.  But they taste amazing...and really, isn't that what matters?  Keep your beautiful, average tasting cookies for yourself...I'll pass.

There are other recipes out there for these (I tried a few) and believe me, NOTHING comes close to hers.  This can easily be doubled or tripled...and SHOULD be!  Trust me, they're that good :)

Aunt Maria, we miss having you here on Christmas Eve!

Hidden Kisses
from Aunt Maria

Approximately 70 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped
4 sticks softened salted butter (not TOO soft)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Confectioners sugar

Beat butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy.  Add flour and walnuts and mix until well blended.  Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Using about one tablespoon for each cookie, shape dough around each chocolate kiss.  Roll in hand to make a ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies are set but not browned on top.  Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet and place on wire rack.  When completely cooled, sprinkle generously with confectioners sugar.

Linked to: uTry.it Culinary Smackdown Cookie Battle -  hosted by Amy
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