Thumbprint Cookies

• 1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) softened butter
• 1/4 cup Crisco butter flavor sticks
• 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 egg, separated
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• Jelly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix butter, Crisco, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Blend flour and salt, and stir into the butter mixture. Roll dough into balls using about 1 teaspoon of dough. Beat egg white. Dip balls into egg white and then roll in nuts. Place about 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. About halfway through the baking time, take the cookies from the oven and using a thimble (or the end of a spoon handle) gently make an indent in the center that will hold a helping of jelly once the cookies are cool.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

Source: Claudia LaBorde, Tampa; Marion Haupt, Zephyrhills; Carmen Hunter, Tarpon Springs; Beverly J. Bartosch, Spring Hill.