A fortified wine, Madeira originally came from the Portuguese island of the same name. These old-fashioned cookies, brushed with Madeira and dusted with sugar, make a romantic treat to serve with tea. You may serve tiny glasses of sweet Madeira with the cookies.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup sifted cake flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Madeira for brushing
sugar for dusting

Cream the butter very well. Add the sugar gradually, beating until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the dry ingredients together and fold into the butter. Cover the gough tightly and chill overnight. Shape tablespoons of dough into balls and place on to greased baking sheets, 1 to 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 drgrees F. for 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven, brush with Madeira, dust with sugar, and return to the oven for one minute more. Remove from baking sheets with a spatula and cool on racks. Makes one dozen cookies.