Linzer Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Filling
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Topping
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In medium bowl combine flour, almonds, baking powder, salt and cinnamon with wire whisk.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, the vanilla and almond extracts, and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture and blend at low speed until just combined.

Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. With index finger press an indentation in center of each ball to hold filling.

Bake 22-24 minutes or until just golden brown on bottom. Transfer cookies to a cool, flat surface.

In a small bowl combine jam and grated lemon peel. Place 1/2 teaspoon of filling mixture in center of cooled cookie.

If you wish to add an extra decorative touch, sift confectioners’ sugar over cookies and place sliced almonds in the jam filling.