Monday, November 30, 2015

PUERTO RICAN CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH JAM FILLING


This recipe brings such wonderful memories of growing up in Puerto Rico.

My mom always made sure there was a delicious snack waiting for us after school. These shortbread cookies were our absolute favorite with a cup of Ginger tea, or hot chocolate. Although they are a typical dessert during the Christmas Holiday, mom never hesitated in baking these all year round.

Buen Apetito!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup Crisco (baking shortening) at room temperature
2 egg yolks
2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (good quality flour)
Food coloring (optional)

Note: A variety of jams is recommended, since these shortbread cookies are thumbprint cookies (guava and raspberry jam is our favorite) but of course the jams are optional as well. If you decide not to use jams, then you don't have to press in the thumb to make the indentation.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. On medium speed beat sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy, for about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add in the egg yolks, and beat until combined. Add in the almond and vanilla extracts, and beat until combined. Slowly add in the flour, 1/2 cup at-a-time, and mix on low speed until the batter is thick.
4. Using a measuring tablespoon, roll out balls of 1 tbsp full and place them on the lined cookie sheets. Slightly make an indentation in the center of the cookie with your thumb. It's during this step that you fill the thumbprint with the jam of your preference (this step is optional)
5. Bake at 350 degrees until the cookies are slightly golden, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly and enjoy!

This recipe yields 4 dozen thumbprint cookies.


"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the Word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5