Walnut Rum Pastry Cookies

Total Time: 2 hrs 12 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons water (105- 110 f)
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup finely ground walnuts
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, divided

Recipe

• 1 stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl; cut in butter till it resembles coarse crumbs.
• 2 in a separate bowl, add yeast to warm water, stir in egg yolks, sour cream and vanilla; blend into flour mixture; mix until soft dough forms; refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
• 3 preheat oven to 400°f; lightly grease a baking sheet; set aside.
• 4 beat egg whites until foamy, gradually add sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, add rum extract, gently fold in nuts; set mixture aside.
• 5 divide chilled dough into 4 equal parts, refrigerating each part until ready to use.
• 6 roll each section into a 9-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
• 7 sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar; cut each circle into 12 wedges.
• 8 spread a heaping teaspoon of prepared meringue on each wedge, roll up each wedge, beginning at wide end.
• 9 place on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until pale golden brown.
• 10 transfer to wire racks to cool.
• 11 sprinkle cookies with remaining powdered sugar when cool.