Coffee/Chocolate Nut Balls
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 generous tablespoon instant coffee
1 cup finely chopped walnuts*
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients and fold in. Stir in the nuts. Roll into one-inch balls. Place about an inch or so apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for approximately 15 minutes (watch with the first batch to gauge your stove.). Cool cookies slightly and roll in a mixture of powered sugar and cocoa.
It is also fun to dip them in melted chocolate instead of powdered sugar. For ease, I use the Wilton Melts.
*When you grind up your walnuts, put in a few, drained maraschino cherries to add some color and a tang.
