Peppermint Candy Cookies

Makes about 40 cookies.

Dough:
1 cup (2 sticks) sweet butter
2 cup 10X (confectioners') sugar
2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts
l teaspoon vanilla

Filling:
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 cup 10X (confectioners) sugar
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 teaspoon milk
1 drop red food coloring

Dough: Cream butter with the sugar. Gradually add flour, nuts and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Chill.

Filling: Combine candy and sugar. Reserve 1/4 for topping cookies. Blend cream cheese and milk and add to remaining candy mixture. Add food coloring. Mix well.

Remove dough from refrigerator. Shape into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Make a deep hole with your finger in center of each ball and fill with about 1/4 teaspoon filling. Seal with a small bit of dough. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350oF oven for 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool slightly on wire racks.

While cookies are still warm sprinkle with reserved candy mixture. Cool completely.