Walnut Snowballs

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. 3
   Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl.
4. 4
   Transfer 2 tablespoons flour mixture to processor; add walnuts.
5. 5
   Process until walnuts are finely chopped.
6. 6
   Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy.
7. 7
   Add 1 cup powdered sugar and beat until well blended.
8. 8
   Add egg yolk, brandy, and vanilla and beat to blend.
9. 9
   Beat in flour mixture.
10. 10
    Add walnut mixture; stir with spatula to blend.
11. 11
    Using 1 tablespoon dough for each cookie, shape dough into balls; arrange on prepared sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
12. 12
    Bake cookies 12 minutes.
13. 13
    Reverse sheets.
14. 14
    Bake cookies until brown on bottom, cracked on top and just beginning to color, about 12 minutes longer.
15. 15
    Sift remaining 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar thickly over hot cookies and cool on sheets.
16. 16
    (Can be made 4 days ahead.
17. 17
    Store airtight between sheets of waxed paper at room temperature.)