O-mommy lived in Quebec until the mid 70s. We eagerly anticipated the arrival of her Christmas package every year because it was sure to include a great big tin or two of Christmas cookies! This one was always one of my favourite! I liked the surprise of finding out what was in the middle but my own children are not so adventuresome and so I have come up with a way of identifying what is in the middle.

1 cup Butter, softened
1/2 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2 cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Walnuts, Pecans, Cherries, Dates, Almonds, Flaked Coconut

Preheat oven to 325F.

In large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla.
Add flour and salt; mix well.
Shape a teaspoon and a half of dough around a nut or piece of fruit to form a  1-inch ball. *I put a sliver of whatever I have concealed on top of the finished cookie in order to identify the filling later with the exception of Dates.
Dip in coconut.
Bake in preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen