Martha's Jam Thumbprint Cookies

If ever there was a cookie that is a must for your holiday cookie platter, it’s Martha Stewart's Jam Thumbprint cookie. Even the most decorating challenged person can create a pretty cookie with this recipe. There is no icing involved and no rolling out dough and using cookie cutters. I’m still thinking there’s hope for me when it comes to those cookies, but that’s a post for another day.

I know I’ve said over and over how I don’t like nuts in cookies, cakes or breads. This is THE ONLY cookie I’ve ever included nuts in and truly enjoy. I think it has to do with the almonds being finely ground and used as the coating for the cookie before it is baked. I still detest large chunks of nuts in all manner of baked goods, this is just the one exception for me.

This cookie has a soft interior and a slightly crisp exterior. They are finished off with a small dab of jam in the center of them after they bake. I like to use Trader Joe’s Organic Jams since I don’t make my own. Their raspberry jam is simply addictive, and I always have at least one jar of it hanging around.

I had a bit of help in the kitchen with my baking last weekend, and thought I’d share a couple of quick pictures of my junior chefs showing off their baking skills:

I've had a number of questions asking about freezing cookies and defrosting them, so I thought I'd share how I do it today. The Jam Thumbprint cookies do freeze well, just be sure to put a layer of wax paper in between each layer of cookies in your freezer tight container. Allow to come to room temperature when you are ready to give as gifts or to serve for dessert. I do this for all cookies that I freeze and so far they've all come out just as delicious after their time in the deep freeze. Not all cookies freeze well, so you may want to do a "test" by freezing just a couple and bringing back to room temperature to see how they hold up.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read about the New Jersey Food Bank’s need for donations click HERE to see yesterday’s post. You can also click on the button in the left sidebar and it will take you directly to their website. Please consider helping out in any way you can. As I mentioned yesterday, no amount of assistance is too small.

Of course, there are many more cookies and other great treats being made around the food blogging world right now. Check out these recipes… in case you were short on ideas for this year! If not, mark them to try for the next holiday season, or day of baking you have planned.

Go on over to Dragon's Kitchen and you'll find Chocolate Almond Biscotti that will please any of your coffee or tea loving friends.

Stephanie's Kitchen recently made a decadent Oreo Fudge that may not make it into the gift basket because it's that irresistable.

And, what cookie tray would be complete without the stand-by, Peanut Butter Blossoms over at Delish?