Thumb Pressed & Jam

A longtime friend and neighbor dropped off three gift bags of homemade Christmas cookies last week. There were several varieties - a very delicious assortment! They were made with love and we are very grateful. There was one that really impressed me and I asked her for the recipe. It seems as she has experimented and the result is wonderful. My favorite of all. I'll be making these soon, but in the meantime here is the recipe:

Buttery Spritz Cookies (done differently)  LW

Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Food coloring, optional

Colored sugar or decorating candies, optional

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth, Beat in egg and extracts. Combine the flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, Tint with food coloring if desired,

Using a cookie press fitted with the disk of your choice, press dough 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets, Top with colored sugar and decorating candies if desired,

Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until set (do not brown). Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield 7 1/2 dozen,

Done differently Instructions LW

Instead of using a cookie press, roll a spoonful of dough into a ball. Then just roll it in crushed walnuts and stick your thumb in the middle and fill with jam.  Continue baking as above.