Hungarian Kifli

Ingredients

• 9 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 egg whites
• 8 ounces ground walnuts
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Steps

1. In a medium bowl, cream butter and cream cheese. Stir in egg yolks and vanilla. Stir together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add flour mixture a little at a time until it is fully incorporated.
2. Divide dough into 5 parts, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
3. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Add sugar a little at a time while continuing to beat to stiff peaks. Fold in ground walnuts, and set aside.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out until it is 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 3-inch squares. Place 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each square and roll up from corner to corner. Place on cookie sheets and refrigerate until hardened.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
6. Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Roll in confectioners' sugar when cool.