Fossil Cookies

Do you have a child interested in bugs or dinosaurs? Then this is a good recipe to make with them! My own son loves fish and anything creepy crawly and this is now his favorite thing to make with me.

• INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• Salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Pulse walnuts in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

2. STEP 2

   Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually beat in walnut mixture.

3. STEP 3

   Divide dough into eighteen 1 1/2-inch balls, and press into irregular stone shapes using the palm of your hand; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dust food-safe plastic insects with flour to coat; press into dough to make fossil impressions. Freeze until dough is very firm, 20 to 30 minutes.

4. STEP 4

   Bake until golden brown and firm in center, 25 to 28 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack, and let cool.