She Strengthens

Simplify Your Holiday Baking with This Clever Cookie Hack

As a child, I cherished the moments spent baking cookies with my aunt at her cozy kitchen table. The aroma of freshly baked treats wafting from the oven, accompanied by steaming cups of tea, created an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. My aunt’s clever shortcut version of thumbprint cookies won my heart, and I’m excited to share it with you.

The Genius Behind This Recipe

Instead of shaping and filling individual thumbprint cookies, this ingenious method involves baking logs of dough with a jam-filled trough down the center. After a quick bake, simply slice the logs into cookies, and you’ll have a delicious treat ready for the holiday season.

Tips for Success

For a smooth and even jam layer, use a very smooth jam. This will make piping the jam into the dough logs a breeze.

Get Baking!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup smooth jam

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare
   Heat your oven to 350°F and arrange two racks to divide the oven into thirds. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
2. Whisk and Mix
   Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, beating until incorporated.
3. Form the Dough
   Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll each into a 10-by-1-inch log.
4. Create the Jam Trough
   Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a 1/2-inch-wide and 1/2-inch-deep trough in the center of each log, leaving a 1/2-inch border at each end.
5. Pipe in the Jam
   Place the jam in a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag and pipe it into each of the troughs.
6. Bake and Cool
   Bake the logs for 10 minutes, then rotate the baking sheets and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes. Let the logs cool for 15 minutes before slicing them into cookies.
7. Enjoy Your Delicious Treats!
   Store your cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days and indulge in the festive spirit!