CARAMEL-WALNUT STAR COOKIES

Caramel-Walnut Star Cookies image

These cookies will shine brightly on any dessert tray. In fact, the first time I sample these crisp, buttery stars was at a potluck, and I spent the evening tracking down the person who brought them. I did succeed in obtaining the recipe, and have made them every Christmas since then.-Sandy Topalof, North Royalton, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold butter
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
24 walnut halves
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
GLAZE:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cubed
1 tablespoon 2% milk
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk and vanilla, then walnuts., On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 3-in. star-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a walnut half in the center of each. Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool., Spread bottoms of cookies with melted chocolate. Place chocolate side up on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until set., For glaze, in a small saucepan, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Cook and stir 30 seconds. Remove from the heat; cool 5 minutes. Whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar. Immediately drizzle over top of cookies. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 36mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.