Pecan Snowballs

1 cup shortening or butter

¾ cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk or water

1½ tsp vanilla

1¾ cups all purpose flour

1 cup oatmeal, uncooked

½ cup finely chopped pecans            

¼ tsp teaspoon salt (optional)

Powdered sugar

Heat oven to 325°. Beat shortening, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until creamy. Add combined flour, oats, pecans, and salt; mix well. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 15 to 18 minutes or until bottoms are light golden brown. Roll in powdered sugar while warm. Cool completely on wire rack. Re-roll in powdered sugar*.

Makes about 4 dozen

*Variation: Roll in powdered sugar only once. Microwave ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces and 1 teaspoon Crisco at high 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth; drizzle over cookies.