"'It is as if we had a day made to order, Mrs. Dr. Dear,' said Susan complacently, as she feathered an orange-frosted cake with coconut.  'I will try my hand at them new-fangled butterballs after breakfast and I will phone Carter Flagg every half-hour to make sure that he will not forget the ice-cream.'"
-Anne of Ingleside, Chapter 14.

1 cup butter 
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1 to 2 cups almonds or pecans, ground 
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 

Cream butter. Gradually add sugar and salt, creaming well. Stir in almonds and vanilla. Add flour gradually; mix thoroughly. Shape by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls or crescents. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes. Do not brown. Roll warm in confectioners' sugar.

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies. 

Thanks to ParkCornerPEI for the reference.