Thumbprint Cookies

As a kid, our next door neighbors would make these cookies at Christmastime. After I grew up and moved out....I always longed for these yummy cookies and asked my neighbor for the coveted recipe. It wasn't until 20 years later, when I was getting married that I finally got this recipe for Thumbprint Cookies. (I wanted the recipe so much that I told Mrs. B to give me the recipe for our wedding gift!)

• Ready In: 33 mins
• Yields: 12-18 cookies

Ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup butter
• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1  egg, separated
• 1 1⁄3 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup  jam
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. Let butter soften in a mixing bowl-add sugar and almond extract. Cream thoroughly.
2. Add yolk and beat well.
3. Add flour and blend (add a bit more if necessary, dough shouldn't be sticky).
4. Shape into 1 inch balls.
5. Roll balls in egg white and into chopped pecans. Place on a cookie sheet.
6. Press thumb into each ball-making a wide imprint in each cookie.
7. Fill imprints with jam.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes. Makes 2 dozen small or 1 dozen large cookies.