Peppermint Snowballs

Peppermint Snowballs

Cookie
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extact
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candy or candy canes
1 drop red food coloring

Topping
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candy or candy canes

*In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar; add vanilla. Stir in flour; knead until mixed well. Reserve 1/2 cup of dough; shape remaining dough into 1 in balls.
*For filling, combine cream cheese an milk in a small bowl. Stir in sugar, candy and food coloring; mix well. Make a deep well in the center of each ball; fill with 1/4 teaspoon filling. Use reserved dough to cover filling. Reshape if necessary into smooth balls.
*Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350* for 12-14 minutes. Combine topping ingredients; roll cookies in mixture while still warm. Cool on wire racks.

Courtesy of Heather Koelliker