The holidays are here, and my cookie frenzy has begun! I start making Christmas cookies in November, and continue filling my freezer into December. That way I have lots of cookies to easily put together gift bags, and trays for friends! Giving them away is the best part of making them in my book. Like so many of my recipes, I don’t recall the origin of this thumbprint cookie, but it’s been a part of my cookie files for over 20 years. It’s simple (8 ingredients), buttery, bite size, and festive. You can use any flavor of jam you like, to make them your favorite. I used strawberry jam for this batch.
Recipe: (makes 24 cookies)
1/2 c unsalted butter, room temp
1/4 c sugar
1 egg yolk (reserve the egg white)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c finely chopped walnuts
Fruit flavored jam
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Blend butter, sugar and egg yolk in a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment. Add flour and salt, and beat til smooth. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Form into 1″ balls. Roll in reserved beaten egg white, then chopped nuts, and place on a parchment covered cookie sheet, about 1″ apart.
Press your thumb, or another blunt object into the cookie ball, to form a small “dent”.
Bake for 15 – 18 min, til very lightly browned on the bottom. Cool completely. Fill the “thumbprint” with a small amt. of fruit jam.
Store in airtight container in the freezer, or in the garage if cold! Will last for 2-3 months.
