I made these after our Christmas Baking Day for another event.  They are a super delicious treat for those looking for a fruity shortbread cookie to share this Holiday season.  I got this recipe originally from 2002 Taste of Home Annual Recipes and have done it several times with different flavors of jams, all of the ones I have tried have been awesome.  Chose a flavor that you enjoy for this recipe, we picked raspberry because it is one of our favorites.

Berry Shortbread Dreams

• 1 cup Butter, softened
• 2/3 cup Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup Seedless Raspberry Jam

1.  In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in extract; gradually add flour until dough forms a ball.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

2.  Preheat oven to 350° F.

3.  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center.  Fill the center with jam.

4.  Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Remove and cool on wire racks.  Spoon additional jam into the cookies if you want.

GLAZE

• 1 cup Confectioner’s Sugar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons of Water
• 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract

Mix ingredients and drizzle over cookies slightly cooled cookies.  This recipe makes about 40 cookies.

Photo by Taste of Home