Lemon Tea Cookies

Lemon Tea Cookies - Jana E.

3/4 C. Butter (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Filling:
3 TB. butter (softened)
4 1/2 tsp. Lemon juice
3/4 tsp. grated orange peel
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
Gradually add flour. Shape into two 14 inch rolls; reshape each roll into 1 1/8 inch x 1 1/8 in block. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Unwrap and cut into 1/4" slices. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle 1/2 the cookies with nuts; gently pressing into dough. Bake at 400 for 8-10 min. or until golden brown around the edges. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Filling: Cream butter lemon juice and orange peel. Gradually add powdered sugar. Tint yellow if desired. Spread about a tsp on bottom of plain cookies, place nut-topped cookies over filling. YIELD: about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.