This is one of my daughter Jessica’s favorite Christmas cookies. They are easy to make, and very festive.  Use either red or green cherries, or a combination of both.

Ingredients:

Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup light corn syrup

2 large egg yolks

2½ cups all-purpose flour

Topping:

2 large egg whites, slightly beaten

2 cups finely chopped walnuts or pecans

About 4 dozen red or green candied cherries

Directions:

Dough:

1. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar and corn syrup; cream together until mixture appears light and fluffy. Add egg yolks; beat until thoroughly mixed. Add flour; stir until mixed.
   
   
2. Cover dough and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
   
   
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Baking sheets may be ungreased, or lined with parchment paper.
   
   
4. Shape dough into small balls, about 1” in diameter. 
   
   Topping:
5. Dip the top of each ball into the beaten egg whites, and then dip the top into the chopped nuts.
   
   
6. Place balls, nut side up, 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. Press a candied cherry into the center of each cookie. Bake 20 minutes or until cookies are set and very lightly browned. Remove cookies from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.
   
   Makes about 4 dozen cookies
   
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