It seems almost every family has a cookie that is a must for Christmas. Snowy Mountaintops is one for my family; I’ve been baking them for years. They consist of crumbly dark shortbread surrounding a chocolate almond kiss. The “dirt” is unsweetened cocoa, and the “snow” is a little powdered sugar on the top of each cookie. These luscious cookies almost melt in the mouth, and they can be made several weeks before Christmas. As long as they are hidden well, they will be popular on buffets and cookie trays. (My freezer is always such a disaster, no one dares venture into it, so my Christmas cookies have always been safe.)

Snowy Mountaintops are easily shaped; the dough is cut into squares, a kiss is pressed into the center, and the dough is shaped around. They keep a week or two at room temperature in an airtight container, and they can also be frozen successfully. I have several friends and relatives who live away, and have found that they ship well, too; there has never been any breakage reported.

The only real work involved in making these yummy cookies is unwrapping the individual kisses. This is a good job for kids or husbands, and they usually do so willingly while watching TV - as long as they don’t have to clean up the mess, it’s safe to ask. While they’re unwrapping, make sure they do a whole package, since a double batch is a must.

3 dozen

2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
36 Hershey's kisses with almonds
Cocoa
Powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix flour and cocoa.
3. Cream powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla.
4. Add egg and mix well.
5. Add flour mixture.
6. Divide into thirds and refrigerate until firm.
7. Divide each third of dough into 12 pieces.
8. Shape each piece into a disk and wrap around an unwrapped almond kiss.
9. Place on parchment-lined or greased baking sheets.
10. Bake 10 minutes or until set.
11. Transfer to cooling racks to cool.
12. Sift a little cocoa powder over the cookies; dip the tops in powdered sugar.

Note: 1 12 ounce bag of chocolate kisses with almonds is enough for a double batch of cookies.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 84 Calories from Fat 41
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 48% Protein 6% Carb. 46%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 17 mg
Sodium 64 mg
Total Carbohydrate 10 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 1%