(As read and prepared by Alex Tuller for the December 8, 2005 podcast)
Christmas is the only time I make these cookies, because that is when my mother made these. They are pretty and festive and really buttery.
3/4 lb butter
1 c sugar
3 egg yolks
3 to 3-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp vanilla
mint and currant jelly
Heat oven to 425º.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat egg in and add flour slowly, then add vanilla. Roll dough into small balls and drop onto ungreased baking sheet. Then with a thimble, press gently down in the center of the ball. You may need to use a little flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the thimble. With a either a baster filled with jelly or a small spoon, drop small amounts of jelly into the thimble print.
Bake until golden, approximately 6-8 minutes.