Holiday eats: thumbprint cookies

Photo: Val Palmer

This recipe was submitted by Castanet's very own Val Palmer. 

"These cookies are a bit fussy to make, but are definitely worth the effort!  My family loves them!" she said.

By the looks of them, I'm trying this on the weekend.

The recipe makes 24 cookies.

Thumbprint Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2/3 cup jam of your choice

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Grease two cookie sheets.

• Separate eggs, reserving egg whites.
• Mix butter, brown sugar and egg yolks. 
• Add vanilla, salt and flour and mix well.
• Shape dough into balls (approx. 1 inch).  
• Roll in egg white and then in chopped nuts.
• Place on cookie sheet approx. 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven and gently make an indentation in centre of cookie with finger or end of wooden spoon.
• Place a teaspoon of jam in each center.
• Return to oven and bake for a further 8 to 10 minutes.  (Val says she prefers hers a bit more browned, so leave for 10 - 15 minutes).

Cool on cookie sheet.

Enjoy!