Christmas Cookie Carnival: Chocolate Filled Russian Tea Cakes

Mmmm, these cookies may be the best yet!  I've made them for a few years now and everyone loves them.  Basically, they are the little "wedding cookies" but with chocolate in the center and rolled in powdered sugar with red and green sugar added.  Pretty, festive and delicious! :)

It's hard to see in the pic, but like I said the powdered sugar has red and green sugar in it as well, and the cookies are so festive looking.

  Oh yeah, check out the chocolate filled center!  I found this recipe in either a Pillsbury or Betty Crocker Christmas baking magazine.

Chocolate Filled Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (I use pecans)
48 milk chocolate stars
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbs green sugar
1 tbs red sugar

Heat oven to 400.  Beat butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla.  Stir in flour, salt and nuts.  Shape scant tablespoon of dough around a chocolate star to make 1-inch ball.  Bake 12 to 15 minutes until set and bottoms begin to brown.  Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine 1 cup powdered sugar and colored sugars.  Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheet and roll in sugar coating.  Cool completely on wire racks, about 30 minutes, and roll in sugar coating again.