These oreshki, ‘nuts’ in Ukrainian, are probably my favorite cookie of all time. They are a TON of work to make but I brave it all once a year for Christmas. To make the shell of these cookies you need a mold called oreshnitsa. I borrowed my mother’s mold once again this year but I found one on amazon believe it or not and ordered it to have my own for next  Christmas. There are electric ones out there as well but I’ve never used an electric one.

Ingredients:

-cookie-

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs, yolk and whites separated
1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp vinegar

1 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 1/2 cups flour

-filling-

1 can condensed milk

8 tablespoons butter, softened

Walnuts, quartered

Directions:

1. Place the can of condensed milk into a pot of water and cook for 3 hours allowing it to boil. Fill the pot with as much water as possible because it will evaporate in 3 hours. check to make sure your pot doesn’t run out of water. Remove the cans after 3 hours and set aside to cool.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl until they get foamy and then add the egg whites to the butter mixture.

3. Add the vanilla to the mixing bowl. Mix the vinegar and baking soda. Add to the butter, sugar, and egg mixture.

4. Add the flour 1 cup at a time to bowl and mix until well combined.

5. Roll the cookie dough into 1/2 teaspoon sized balls (This will differ depending on the size of your mold.). Preheat your mold over medium low heat for a few minutes. Place a ball of cookie dough into each hole. Press the mold together and hold the handles tight for about 15 seconds as some of the dough oozes out. Remove excess dough and allow the cookies to reach a golden color.

6. Remove the cookies from the mold and place on a tray to cool off. Once cooled, remove any excess from the round cookie and set aside.

7. Once the condensed milk has cooled, beat it on high with the softened butter and until it reached an even consistency.

8. Fill each cookie half with the filling and place a nut into the middle. Squeeze the halves together wiping off any excess filling. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar before serving.