Favorite Christmas Cookies (test run)

A few weeks ago I decided to make a test run batch of cookies for our annual Cookie Making Day with Diane, Carol, Vicki, and Grandma Knapp! I really want to find some staple cookies I can call my own! Out of the cookies I have tried so far one sticks out above the rest! Thumbprints!

Yield: 2 dozen (serving size: 2 cookies)
Cost per Serving: $.28

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, separated 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup walnuts, finely ground
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup apricot or seedless strawberry jam

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg yolk (reserve white) and vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour and salt. Continue mixing on low until dough comes together in a ball.
2. In a bowl, mix walnuts and sugar. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, dip each in egg white, then roll in walnut mixture, turning to coat. Transfer to baking sheets. Using your finger, make a deep indentation in center of each ball. Transfer pans to refrigerator; chill 20 minutes.
3. Fill center of each cookie with some of jam (do not overfill or jam will leak out while baking). Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until cookies are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets on wire racks, then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Thumbprint Cookies