Austrian Walnut Cookies

Name: Austrian Walnut Cookies
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 8 large egg yolks; 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 3 large egg whites; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1 cup ground walnuts; Additional confectioners' sugar

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
8 large egg yolks
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
3 large egg whites
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup ground walnuts
Additional confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in egg yolks, 2 at a time. Gradually beat in flour.
Divide dough into three portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, using clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form. Fold in walnuts.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. round cookie cutter. Spread each cookie with 1 teaspoon walnut mixture to within 1/4-in. of edges. Fold dough almost in half over filling, allowing filling to show. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Dust cookies with additional confectioner's sugar. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.