Festive Thumbprint Cookies

Tonight is my friend Drenda's annual cookie swap. However, the recipe I'm going to share with you today is not what I'm taking. No, our Sunday school class had their Christmas party Saturday night, so it was an opportunity for me to make one of my favorite cookies without worry of eating every single one of them myself.

There are several reasons I love these cookies. First, the dough is buttery, so it has a nice texture. Second, they're coated in pecans and I LOVE pecans. Lastly, the little dollop of jelly is such a festive and delicious addition.

Here's what you'll need for these yummy treats:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs, separated

1 tsp. almond extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Red currant jelly (if you can't find red currant jelly, seedless raspberry is a good substitute)

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well.

Add egg yolks.

And almond extract, 

beating until blended.

Next, combine your flour, salt and cinnamon.

And gradually add to the butter mixture, 

Blending on low speed until fully incorporated.

Cover and chill dough for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Shape chilled dough into 1 inch balls.

Lightly beat your egg whites, then dip each ball into the egg white

And roll in pecans.

Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Now, press your thumb into each cookie to make an indentation.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Cool 1 minute on baking sheets. Press centers again while cookies are still warm.

Fill center of each cookie with jelly.

I've had this recipe for at least a dozen years, but haven't made them in a few years. In the past, I was never able to find red currant jelly. This year when I went to grocery store, as soon as I lifted my gaze to peruse the plethora of jellies, I spotted a jar of red currant. Go figure. 

I have to say, I do like the flavor. A little more tart, but still plenty sweet.

Hubby loved them, the remaining boy at home loved them... In my world, that's a two thumb's-up. :)

So after a year of feeling overwhelmed, I finished the edits on my June release and turned in my next proposal in November. Then I determined to take off the rest of the year to focus on the holidays and family. Not to mention catch up on the many things I've let go. Funny, I never imagined I'd be quite so busy. But it feels good to finally be able to tick those things I haven't had time for off of my list. 

What has your year been like? Tough? Uneventful? Crazy? How have you handled it?