Lemon Tea Cookies

• butter, softened (no substitutes)↗3⁄4 cup
• sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• egg yolk↗1
• vanilla extract↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• finely chopped walnuts1⁄4 cup
• Filling
• butter, softened↗3 tablespoons
• lemon juice↗4 1⁄2 teaspoons
• grated orange peel↗3⁄4 teaspoon
• confectioners' sugar↗1 1⁄2 cups
• yellow food coloring, optional↗2 drops

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

2. 2

   Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.

3. 3

   Gradually add flour.

4. 4

   Shape into two 14 inch rolls; reshape each roll into a 14 inch x 1 1/8 inch x 1 1/8 inch block.

5. 5

   Wrap each in plastic wrap.

6. 6

   Refrigerate overnight.

7. 7

   Unwrap and cut into 1/4 inch slices.

8. 8

   Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

9. 9

   Sprinkle half of the cookies with nuts, gently pressing into dough.

10. 10

    Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

11. 11

    Remove to wire racks to cool.

12. 12

    In a small mixing bowl, cream butter, lemon juice and orange peel.

13. 13

    Gradually add confectioners' sugar.

14. 14

    Tint yellow if desired.

15. 15

    Spread about 1 t.

16. 16

    on bottom of the plain cookies; place nut topped cookies over filling.