Sweet Victory (Cookie Recipes)

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CARRIE NAHABEDIAN'S CHERRY JEWELS

Carrie Nahabedian / Naha
500 N. Clark St.;
312-321-6242
Degree of difficulty •••••
Skill level Beginner
Hard-to-find ingredient Candied cherries
Tasters’ comments “Looks festive.” “Light and lemony.” “Did not like the cherry.” “Buttery.”

Nahabedian says this recipe comes from her aunt Pauline, who has been making the cookies even since she found the recipe in the Chicago Daily News in 1967.

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. sifted cake flour
3/4 c. finely chopped pecans
18 candied cherries, halved

Cream together butter and sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, lemon rind, lemon juice, orange juice, and vanilla; beat well. Gradually blend in flour; chill. Shape dough into balls 1-inch in diameter; roll in nuts and place on buttered baking sheet. Press a cherry half in center of each. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 10 to 12 minutes. Remove immediately to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 36 cookies.

Photograph: Michael Boone Photography

RECIPES:

Amy Sampson's Walnut Cookies »
Cindy Shuman's Honey Pistachio Lace Cookies »
Allison Levitt's Holiday "Mallomars" »
Mary Winslow's Chai Thumbprint Cookies With Honey Cream »
Jacquy Pfeiffer's Zimtsterne, Or Cinnamon Stars »
Gale Gand's Poinsettia Cookies »
Carrie Nahabedian's Cherry Jewels »
Pamela Fitzpatrick's Almond Polenta Cookies »