Lemon Snowdrops (or Orange Snowdrops see NOTE below)

Recipe By : Gold Medal Holiday Cookies - Dec 99
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Christmas Cookies
Holidays

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 cup butter or margarine -- softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 cups Gold Medal all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Lemon Butter Filling
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
Yellow food coloring -- if desired

Heat oven to 400F. Beat butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the lemon
extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with
spoon. Stir in flour and salt. (If dough is soft, cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to shape.)

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press bottom of glass into dough to grease, then dip into granulated sugar; press on shaped dough until 1/4 inch thick.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lilght brown. Imediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Put cookies together in pairs with Lemon Butter Filling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Lemon Butter Filling Directions:
Mix sugar and cornstarch in 1-quart saucepan. Stir in remaining
ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute; cool.

NOTE: Orange Snowdrops: Use orange extract, orange peel and orange juice for the lemon extract, peel and juice.

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NOTES : A holiday teacup filled with these cookies and wrapped tea bags makes a treasure take-home gift.