Sweet holidays

These last several days in between the holidays are so delicious. They are full of sweet desserts and you don't care any more about your diet. Even thought you promised yourself to start a healthier lifestyle tomorrow. Well, 2013 is almost here so why not start that diet & exercise program on January 2nd?

 I am still planning to make that delicious holiday cake fromAleksa's blog for New Year eve celebration and for the smooth transaction to a new year the thai sweet rice and mango dessert from Marina's blog, and I am done with sweets. At least, until the other good reason to try a new recipe will come alone :) 

Christmas butter cookies

These cookies are so simple but taste so good. They remind me of shortbread cookies and perfect for the Christmas party.

How to make them:

1 cup butter at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar
2 tea spoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped hazelnuts

Powdered sugar for dusting

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla, flour and salt. Fold in nuts. Knead a dough to make it smooth. Place the dough ball in refrigerator for 2 hours.

Preheat your oven to 350'F. Line the baking sheet with foil. If your dough is too hard cut it with knife to form a strips and then cut it to even pieces. Roll the pieces into balls about the same size and place on ungreased foil about 1" apart.

 Bake at 350'F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Let them cool completely and dust them with the powdered sugar.

Enjoy and have fun at Christmas!