Chocolate-Filled Holiday Balls

* Exported from MasterCook II *

CHOCOLATE-FILLED HOLIDAY BALLS

Recipe By : COOKING LIVE SHOW #CL8779
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : New Text Import Cooking Live

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup walnut pieces -- divided
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar -- divided
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter or margarine, at 1
teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Filling:
1/2 cup (3 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
2 tablespoons salted butter or margarine
2 tablespoons heavy (whipping) cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar


Adjust two racks to divide the oven into thirds. Preheat the oven to
350 degrees. Have ready two ungreased baking sheets.

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the walnuts
with 2 tablespoons of the confectioners' sugar until finely ground.

In a medium-size bowl, with a whisk, combine the flour and 3/4 cup of
the ground-walnut mixture until thoroughly mixed.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat
together the butter, the remaining confectioners' sugar, and vanilla
until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With the mixer at medium-low speed,
gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until blended. Scoop
heaping measuring teaspoonfuls of the dough out of the bowl and roll
them into 1-inch balls between the palms of your hands. Arrange the
balls on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake for about 11 minutes until golden around the edges. Reverse the
baking sheets on the racks and from front to back once during baking.
With a wide turner, immediately transfer the cookies to wire racks to
cool completely.

While the cookies are cooling, make the filling. In a medium-size
saucepan set over low heat, melt together the chocolate, butter, and
cream, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from the heat and set
aside to cool slightly. Stir in the vanilla until blended. Gradually
add the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth.

Sprinkle the remaining walnut mixture on a sheet of waxed paper. When
the cookies have cooled, spread the bottom side of each one with a
generous teaspoon of the filling. Top with the remaining cookies, flat
sides down on the filling. Roll the chocolate edges of the cookies
into the walnut mixture.

Store in a tightly covered container, separating the layers with
sheets of waxed paper.

Yield: About 18 sandwich cookies

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