Hazelnut Holiday Balls

Makes about 24

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 beaten egg yolk from large egg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts
9 red candied cherries, halved

Pre-heat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. Beat together shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, orange and lemon peels, and lemon juice. Stir in flour and salt. Chill dough for approximately 1 hour. Form dough into 1" balls, then dip in egg white and roll in chopped hazelnuts. Press half candied cherry into the top of each cookie. Bake for about 8 minutes or until cookies are set but not brown. Allow to cool for 1 minute on baking sheets, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

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Reviews of Hazelnut Holiday Balls:

1-2 of 2 reviews  

  Regina Tucker in Ticonderoga, NY  Nov 28, 2009
Would make this again.
I found my recipe in an old Christmas book. Unforunately I can't find the book. I think I missed some ingredients. Perhaps if the recipe had eggs or not. Recipe is called Hazelnut Holiday Cookies & is a recipe from Yugoslavia according to the book, that is. 1 cup butter, 1 cup hazelnuts,chopped fine, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, & 3 cups flour. doesn't it seem that this recipe needs eggs. I tried them without the eggs and they tasted good but I thought they needed eggs for better batter consistency.Is anyone out there familar with this recipe? five stars

  Krista in Truro, N.S  Dec 25, 2004
Would make this again.
The 'walnut' Holiday Balls were okay. The adults at our Christmas Eve get together found them okay but the children, aged 9-16, didn't like them. I couldn't say how much the yield was for sure. My 13 year old daughter made them both large and small. My guess would be about 3 1/5 dozen. three stars

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