Raspberry Thumbprints

This is a no-frills cookie that is surprisingly delicious. We consumed almost the whole tray within 30 minutes after baking them. They are perfect for the holiday season and fun to make with kids. (This is one of those rare occasions where it is okay to smash your fingers into the dough.)

This cookie is very similar to a shortbread -- buttery and with tender crumb. The raspberry preserves add a bit of excitement. Usually, this style of cookie is rolled around in some chopped nuts before baking, but I didn't have any on hand (and I didn't miss them).

The ingredients (except for those pesky nuts) are the type of straightforward ingredients that you always have in your pantry and fridge. Perfect for some impromptu baking on a chilly day. These cookies were -- no surprise -- a huge hit with the kids. Sarah's finicky toddler was skeptical and would only eat the jam at first. But soon he realized the error of his ways.

Raspberry Thumbprints
adapted from Hay Day Country Market Cookbook

Yield was approx 20 for us, but the cookbook estimated 24 cookies.

• 8 tbs (one stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 cup all purpose flour

• 1/4 cup raspberry preserves

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together with a mixer until well blended. Add the vanilla, salt, and egg yolk, and beat until fluffy.
2. Add flour and mix until it forms a stiff dough. Scrape dough onto a large sheet of wax paper and roll it back and forth to make a long rope about 3/4 inch in diameter and 12 inches long. Roll it up tightly in the wax paper and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. (The dough can be prepared to this point up to 3 days in advance.) Remove from the fridge and let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature before proceeding.
3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Unwrap and slice chilled dough into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Roll them into ball shapes and space them 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Make a small indentation in the center of each one by pressing down on it with your thumb. Fill each hollow with 1/4 teaspoon of preserves.
4. Bake, rotating pan once, until very lightly browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to wire racks to cool. Careful: the jam is very hot!