Lime Nut Buttons

By patticakes

Ingredients

• 4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; more for coating
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp. finely grated lime zest
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

Several hours before baking: In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a food processor, combine the 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, the pecans, and the coconut. Process until the pecans are finely ground. With an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the pecan mixture and beat until well blended. Beat in the lime zest and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap in plastic, and chill until firm, about 3 hours.

Tip: When shaping, work with half the dough at a time, keeping the remainder chilled.

Tip: Shape the cookies identically so that they bake within the same time.

To bake: Heat the oven to 350°F. Measure the dough into heaping teaspoon-size pieces and roll each piece between your palms to form a ball. Put the balls 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; bake until the edges of the cookies barely begin to brown, 12 to 14 min. Let cool on the sheets for 3 to 4 minutes and then roll in confectioners' sugar while still very warm. Repeat rolling to create a delicate powdery coating.

photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 54, pp. 18G
November 15, 2002