Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas Cookies for Grandma Minch



I have heard that my Grandma Minch, among other things was famous for her amazing Christmas Cookies. I remember her Cherry Winks & Ginger Cookies but I am sure had she had this recipe that Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies would have been in her arsenal of cookies. I hope you enjoy the cookies I know she would have made for me!


1/2 cup raspberry jam

1 tablespoon Chambord

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2 large egg yolks

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter 2 large baking sheets.
In a small bowl, combine the jam and Chambord. Stir to combine.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk to blend.
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in the egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions and beat just until moist clumps form. Gather the dough together into a ball.
Pinch off the dough to form 1-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 1-inch apart. Use your floured index finger or 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to create depressions in the center of each ball. Fill each indentation with nearly 1/2 teaspoon of the jam mixture. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

No comments: