Jam Thumbprints

I've been searching for a really good thumbprint cookie recipe and I have finally found it! This recipe came from Woman's Day or Family Circle magazine, I don't remember which.  Jam Thumbprints look so nice on a holiday cookie tray. The red strawberry jam is very festive, and these cookies taste as good as they look!

Jam Thumbprints
Makes ~ 3 dozen

3/4 cup butter (1-1/2 sticks), softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (almond extract is good too!)
2-1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup strawberry jam (or whatever kind you like)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well.  With a spoon, mix in the flour just until incorporated.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet ~2 inches apart.  Use a 1/4 measuring spoon dipped in flour to make a hole in the center of each ball. Use the same 1/4 tsp to spoon the jam into the indentation. This gives you the exact right amount of filling.

Bake cookies 10-12 minutes or until barely golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Store in a covered container.

Enjoy!