POINSETTIA BALLS

Poinsettia Balls image

Cut cherries in the shape of poinsettias make these cookies holiday favorites.

Provided by Laria Tabul

Time 3h40m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
⅓ cup honey
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoons orange zest
4 teaspoons orange juice
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup red candied cherries

Steps:

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until softened. Beat in honey. Add egg yolk, orange peel and orange juice and mix well.
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until well mixed. Cover and chill at least 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 325 degree F.
Separate egg and slightly beat egg white. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in egg white and then in the nuts. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Cut each cherry into 6-8 wedges. Place 4 or 5 wedges atop each ball so that it looks like a flower; press lightly. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove and cool on rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160.6 calories, Carbohydrate 17.1 g, Cholesterol 23.9 mg, Fat 9.9 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 93.4 mg, Sugar 7.9 g