It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!

I love these cookies! They are from Martha Stewart's Christmas Book. I used four fruit preserves instead of the raspberry jam she calls for. The boys love to make the thumbprint in each cookie. Martha's cookies in this old book are terrific . It was one of the few things in this book that didn't intimidate me. Her gingerbread mansion is insane!

Jewel Cookies

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 larges eggs, separated

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 2/3 cups all purpose flour

2 cups finely chopped pecans

1 cup preserves (your favorite kind)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt, then the flour. Refrigerate dough until firm, about 1 hour. Shape dough into 1 inch balls.

Brush each dough ball with beaten egg white and then roll in the chopped pecans and place 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Press the center of each ball with your thumb and fill with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until just golden around the edges. Cool on rack.

Makes 5 dozen.