Merry Berry Cookies

Submitted by Sandyg61

"This recipe is from the story Candy for Christmas by Joanne Fluke. I haven't made them yet but am posting the recipe here for safekeeping. Time doesn't include chilling."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 40mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 8-10 Dozen

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups melted butter (3 sticks, 3/4 lb)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 1/2 cup strawberry jam (any jam) or 1/2 cup blackberry jam (any jam)
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour (pack it down in the cup don't sift it)
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar, for later
• 1⁄3 cup jam, for later

directions

1. Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl.
2. Add the sugar and mix thoroughly. Let the bowl sit on the counter while you do the next step.
3. Melt the jam in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat. Once it’s the consistency of syrup, mix it in with the butter and sugar.
4. Add the eggs, baking soda, and salt, stirring after each addition.
5. Add the flour and mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Overnight is even better.).
6. When your ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, rack in the middle position.
7. Roll the chilled dough into small walnut-sized balls with your hands.
8. Put 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl and roll the balls in it.
9. Place them on a greased standard-sized cookie sheet, 12 cookies per sheet.
10. Flatten the dough balls with a greased spatula.
11. Make a small indentation with your thumb or index finger in the center of each cookie. Fill the indentation with about 1/8 teaspoon of jam.
12. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
13. Let them cool for minutes on the cookie sheet, and then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.