Fancy Jelly-Filled Thumbprint Cookies (thank you, may I have another?)

Today, I'm sharing my favorite Christmas cookie ever. Like, forever ever. Forever and ever and ever.  They're beautifully sweet, light and buttery, bite-sized treats sent straight from cookie heaven.  My mom was generous enough to share this recipe with me, even though she knows it's one of the reasons I come home for Christmas every year! I enjoy making and giving these cuties. They are perfect for cookie swaps, and look gorgeous resting on a bright platter!



Fancy Jelly-Filled Thumbprint Cookies

Cookie Dough/filling:
3/4 C. sugar

3/4 C. butter (softened)
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1  3oz. block cream cheese (not the full size (8 oz.) package)
1 egg
2 1/4 C.  All-purpose flour
3/4 tsp.  baking powder
1/2 C. seedless red raspberry preserves (or seedless jelly/preserves flavor of your choice)

Glaze
1/2 C. white chocolate chips (melted)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat cheese, sugar, and butter together; add egg and orange peel, blend.  Add dry ingredients; blend well.

Cool cookie dough in refridgerator for easier handling.

Shape into 1" balls and place 2" apart on cookie sheet.
Using the rounded end of a wooden spoon handle, gently press a "hole" into each ball, being careful not to poke all the way through to the surface of the sheet.

Fill "holes" with 1/4 tsp. preserves

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until firm to touch.Melt white chocolate chips; drizzle glaze over cooled cookies.

Makes 2-3 dozen. Enjoy!