Cornmeal Maple Walnut Twists

Cornmeal Maple Walnut Twists (Adapted from One Smart Cookie)

1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted and cooled
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg white
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring
About 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350

Place the cool walnuts into a food processor with 3 tablespoons of sugar. Pulse until the walnuts are finely ground. Add the rest of the sugar, flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Pulse until blended. Add softened butter and pulse just until it resembles coarse meal.

In a small bowl, combine the egg white, maple syrup and maple flavoring.

Place the combined butter/flour into a large bowl and then add the egg mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon just until combined.

Divide dough into 24 1 to 1 1/2" balls and then roll into 5" long ropes. Shape each rope into an S shape, or any shape you like, and place 1" apart onto a baking sheet coated with nonstick spray.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown. Take out and let sit 1-2 minutes so the cookies are firm enough to remove from the sheet. Dip the cookies into confectioners' sugar to coat and then place on a wire rack to cool.