Red Velvet Snowballs

My mom and I made Russian Tea Cakes (or Mexican Wedding Cookies) every Christmas--in a crescent shape, just like clock-work.  These are another cookie that are not only easy, but keep a long time, especially in a cool, dry place or in the freezer.  This year, feeling my southern roots (I was born in Memphis at the Millington Naval Hospital) I decided to make a red velvet version.

Adams Extract, a Texas-based company is credited with bringing red velvet cake to America during the depression.  In Canada during the 1940s and 50s, Eaton Department Store swore their employees to secrecy when they started producing this cake with it's rich cream cheese icing.  A resurgence of this dessert's popularity came with the hit movie, Steel Magnolias in 1989 and it's found in almost every bakery in the United States.

Red Velvet Snowballs
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners' (icing) sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. Red Velvet Bakery Emulsion  or 1 oz. Red Food Colouring
1 T Dutch-processed Cocoa
pinch of salt
2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour (spoon flour into the measuring cup and level off with a knife)
1 cup finely chopped pecans, lightly toasted for 5 minutes in the preheated oven

Additional confectioners' sugar for rolling the balls in

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter well.  Add the confectioners' sugar and cream thoroughly.  Scrape down the sides and add the flavoring or food colour, mix again.  

Add cocoa, salt and flour, then mix to combine.  Stir in the finely chopped pecans.

Use a tablespoon scoop to measure out the dough and roll into a ball.  Place on the parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 11 minutes.  Cool cookies slightly, then, transfer to a rack to cool further.

Roll warm cookies in a dish with additional confectioners' sugar in it.  Repeat 2 or 3 times to get a thorough coating.

These simple cookies with their deep red color are perfect for the holiday--I know we all looked forward to my mother placing them on trays for the dessert table on Christmas Eve.  Enjoy!

Rosie is settling in and has been sleeping most of the day after her long adventure yesterday-from Missouri to Washington.  With her eyes closed she is quite mysterious looking with her dark mask including her black nose, but the sweetest personality I've ever seen in a cat.  I'm in love with her:-D