Orange Cream Cheese Snowballs

Here in the midwest we have finally had snowfall.  This makes a good day to bake cookies.  I have been wanting to make this recipe for a long time.  At our local food co-op they have flavored oils for cooking.  I found orange and lemon and have really enjoyed using them.  But if you cannot find orange flavored oil that is ok. Use orange extract instead.  This recipe is simple and delicious. 

Orange Cream Cheese Snowballs

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup ground walnuts

½ cup shortening

½ cup butter, softened (1 stick of butter)

½ cup of cream cheese, softened (4 ounces)

½ cup of granulated sugar

½ tsp orange extract

1 tsp orange zest

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl mix together the powdered sugar and ground walnuts.  Set aside.  In a mixing bowl add the shortening, butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Mix until the sugar is completely combined.  Next, add the orange extract, vanilla extract, orange zest, and flour. Mix thoroughly with a mixer.  Form 1 inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.  I used to teaspoons to do this.  Then bake for about 5-7 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown.  Don’t over bake these.  Remove from the oven and let sit for about a minute.  Then immediately roll them in the powdered sugar mixture and place on a wire rack to cool. These are delicate, so be gentle when rolling them. This will make about 20-24 cookies.

** I used 1 tsp of orange flavored oil instead of the orange extract and orange zest and I used vanillin instead of vanilla extract. **