Orange Hazelnut Thumbprints

These buttery cookies feature ground hazelnuts, orange zest and a fruity jam filling. They look very pretty and are sturdy enough for gift giving. I hope youll enjoy these as much as we do!

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Yields: 32 cookies

Ingredients

• 225  g flour
• 75  g sugar
• 50  g hazelnuts, ground
• 1  orange, zest only (please use an organic orange for this)
• 100  g butter, softened
• 1  tablespoon applesauce (unsweetened)
• 16  teaspoons  jam (I used forest fruit, but orange or apricot would be great, too)

Directions

1. In a big bowl combine flour and sugar. Add hazelnuts and orange zest.
2. Add buter and cut it in using your fingers until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add applesauce and knead into a smooth dough (it should be well workable).
4. Take walnut sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Make an indentation into each ball using either your finger or a spoon handle.
5. Fill each indentation with about 1/2 ts of jam.
6. Bake cookies on a paper-lined baking sheet in the preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for about 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
7. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.