Thumbprint Cookies: Today's Cooking Adventure!

I love that Raina's apron gets so much use!  Cooking and baking are some of the best times we spend together during the day.  I love that it's something fun we can do together, something she can really participate in and get her hands dirty, something that might teach her a little about math and science without being pushy, and mostly... something that results in a yummy treat!  Well, usually yummy.

Today we made thumbprint cookies.

I remember making thumbprint cookies fairly often when I was younger... in the kitchen with my mom, jam and jelly jars in assorted flavors lined up on the counter, thumbs cleaned and ready for some action.  Today we kept it simple with two flavors... but we mixed things up a little.  Yes, there was jam.  Strawberry Jam, fresh from Nana's kitchen - delish!  But then.  THEN.  We made some with Nutella.  Yes, it is as amazing as it sounds!

Here's what you need:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar (for rolling)
• Jam, any flavor and/or Nutella

Here's What You Do:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet.
2.  In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla. 
3.  Add in the flour. 
4.  Roll the dough into 1″ balls and then roll them in granulated sugar.   Raina's favorite step!  Rolling the balls around in the sugar and then licking her fingers got this step an A++ in her book!
5.  Place on the baking sheets.  Bake 10 minutes, and then remove from the oven.
6.  Make an indentation in the middle of each cookie with your thumb.  Remember, the cookies just came out of the oven!  They are hot!  So stick your thumb in them, but be careful.  And probably don't let your kids do this part, mmkay?
7.  Return the cookies to the oven and bake about 8 minutes longer before removing to a wire rack to cool.
8.  Once cooled, fill the cookies with your favorite jam.  For the jam, it was ready to go.  The Nutella I microwaved for 15 seconds to make it easier to spoon into the cookies.
9.  Return cookies to oven and bake for 3-4 minutes - just long enough to let the fillings melt a little and get nice and gooey!

10.  Let cool, then devour. 
Best served with chocolate milk in fancy teacups!