Peppermint Candy Cookies

These are peppermint filled cookies with a bit of crushed peppermint on the top.

• 1 cup soft butter
• 1 1/2 cup confectioner sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint (~8 candy canes)- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon milk
• Red food coloring

Cream together butter, 1/2 cup confectioner sugar, and vanilla. Add flour and walnuts, and chill.

Meanwhile, combine crushed peppermint with 1/2 cup confectioner sugar and set aside.

Prepare filling: Mix cream cheese, milk, and 1/2 cup confectioner sugar. Add 3 tablespoons of above peppermint sugar mixture plus 1 drop of red food coloring. Mix well.

Once dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350. Shape chilled dough into balls (large teaspoon). Fill each with 1/4 teaspoon of filling and seal. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 12-15 minutes. Roll in peppermint sugar mix once when warm and again when cool.

Makes 5 dozen.