These gems are incredibly special to me. The recipe comes from my best friend Di Ana Pisarri’s Mom, Lulu. She made what she called “Swedish Kisses” every year for Christmas. When Lulu passed away a few years ago it became Di Ana’s tradition to head to my house to make them with me for her brother Ozzie. Di Ana passed away on June 18th, 2021 so this year I’m solo in my Christmas cookie making. It’s not nearly as fun but I know she’d want me to make a batch for Ozzie nonetheless. Baking should come from the heart and these certainly will. 💖

Lulu’s Kiss Cookies (aka Swedish Kisses)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup walnuts, chopped fine

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 package chocolate kisses, unwrapped (~40 pieces)

2 cups flour

METHOD

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.

2. Chop walnuts in a food processor until fine; set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

4. Add vanilla and beat until fully incorporated.

5. Combine flour and chopped walnuts and then add mixture to the butter mixture; beat until fully incorporated.

6. Divide dough into 40 parts using a heaping teaspoon and wrap dough around kisses.

7. Place dough balls on two cookie sheets lined with parchment 1” apart.

8. Bake for 12 minutes.

9. Cool completely and dust with confectioners sugar.