Thumb Print Shortbread Cookies

Thumb Print Shortbread Cookies (variety of fillings)

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups Butter, room temperature
2 cups Sugar
2 Egg Yolks
1 tsp Vanilla
2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Salt

Fillings of choice:
Jam, Chocolate kisses, Candied Fruit

Directions:

• Preheat Oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl cream the Butter and Sugar.
• Slowly incorporate the Vanilla and Egg Yolks.
• Add the flour 1 cup at a time to the wet ingredients. As you near the final installment, the dough can be mixed with your hands.
• Cover with Plastic and place in Fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove and roll into small balls (about 1″ in diameter).
• Place on prepared cookie sheet and indent a pocket in the middle with your thumb (or finger if your thumb is too big).
• Place your filling in the indentation. If you are filling with chocolate kisses, you can press the ball down with the kiss rather than your thumb. The dough may break a little as you press it down, this is ok.
• Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bottoms start to brown.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

NOTES: Traditionally, these treats have jam in them as a filling. If you use jam, please keep in mind it will be much hotter than the cookie when it comes out of the oven.