CASHEW COOKIES

CASHEW COOKIES RECIPE

Some "dairy" merry snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe in a flyer promoting dairy products years ago. It's been this farm wife's standby ever since. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin

MAKES: 30 servings

TOTAL TIME:
Prep: 25 min.
Bake: 10 min./batch

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sour cream
1-3/4 cups chopped cashews

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
3 tablespoons half-and-half cream
1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
Cashew halves, optional

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; add alternately with sour cream to creamed mixture. Stir in cashews. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. For frosting, lightly brown butter in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Add cream and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth and thick. Frost cookies; top each with a cashew half if desired. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Originally published as Cashew Cookies in Country Woman Christmas Annual 1997, p30