The best treat for weddings and baby showers

One wedding reception, one baby shower, one bakery, one amazing breakfast, three family gatherings. All in two days. If I were a judge at a cooking competition, I would vote for 'Mexican wedding cookies' (or pastelitos de bodas) as the best reat to be served at wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, as well as any other kind of social event. They are easy, tasty, sweet without being too sweet, small, can be easily eaten, carried and stored and always look good. Made with walnuts, pecans, or almonds, they're a sweet way to thank guests for sharing the day.

And here's a suggestion I found on the web: To give as favors, tuck two into a tiny clear box along with a note imprinted with a fitting sentiment or your wedding date. Type on a computer, print on colored vellum, then cut the messages into tiny strips.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons water

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:

1.In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and water. Add the flour and almonds, mix until blended. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

2.Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

3.Shape dough into balls or crescents. Place on an unprepared cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from pan to cool on wire racks. When cookies are cool, roll in confectioners' sugar. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information:

Amount Per Serving Calories: 207 - total fat: 13g - cholesterol: 28mg

Good food, great mingling and amazing friends make up for a Mother's Day without my mom... oh well, barely...