Peppermint Snowball Cookies

'Tis the season for cookie making. Get in the spirit with these festive peppermint cookies that look like mint-snowballs.

Makes 32 cookies

1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies (12 candies)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies (12 candies)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix 1/4 cup crushed candies and 1/4 cup powdered sugar; reserve. Mix butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup crushed candies and the vanilla extract in medium bowl. Stir in flour and salt.

2. Shape dough by level measuring tablespoonfuls into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until set but not brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; roll in reserved candy mixture. Cool completely on wire rack. Roll in candy mixture again.

(Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 110 (Calories from Fat 55 ); Total Fat 6 g (Saturated Fat 4 g); Cholesterol 15 mg; Sodium 60 mg; Total Carbohydrate 13 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 1 g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 2 %

Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1 Fat

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

How-To
Make short work of crushing hard peppermint candy. Place candy in a large plastic food-storage bag, and chill in the freezer. Crush candy inside of the bag by lightly pounding with the smooth side of a meat mallet or a small pot.

Success
We recommend using butter in this recipe for the most tender cookies.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved