My favorite holiday cookie

Peppermint snowballs

1 c butter, softened

1/2 c confectioner’s sugar

1 t vanilla extract

2 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c ground nuts, optional

filling:

2 T cream cheese, softened

1/2 c confectioner’s sugar

1 t. milk

3 T crushed peppermint candy

topping:

1/2 c crushed peppermint candy

1/2 c confectioner’s sugar

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour. Stir in nuts if desired. Knead dough until pliable. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, milk, and candy. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a deep indentation in the center of each. Fill with 1/4 t filling. Cover with 1/4 t of dough, seal and reshape into balls.
3. Combine topping ingredients: roll balls in topping. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until firm. Roll warm cookies in topping again; cool on wire racks.