Lele Party Cookies

These are classic thumbprint cookies dressed up for a party. Roll the dough into small balls, dip them in egg white, coat in chopped nuts, bake, and press a well into the center while still warm. Fill that little crater with bright jelly and you’ve got a cookie that looks like a jewel on a holiday platter.

The egg yolk goes into the dough while the egg white gets used as the glue for the nut coating. Smart use of one egg for two purposes. The shortening and two sugars (white and brown) give the cookie a tender, crumbly base that melts on your tongue, and the brown sugar adds a hint of caramel sweetness.

Press the centers down as soon as they come out of the oven while the cookies are still soft. Wait too long and they’ll crack. Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon or your thumb wrapped in a towel. Baking at a low temperature keeps the nuts from burning while the cookies bake through slowly to a light golden brown.

Kitchen Tips

• Roll the dough balls small and uniform so they bake evenly. About 1 inch across works well
• Beat the egg white lightly so it’s easier to dip. Frothy egg white clumps on the cookies
• Use red and green jelly at Christmas for a festive look, or mix colors for other occasions
• Let the cookies cool completely before filling with jelly. Hot cookies will melt the jelly into a runny mess

Variations

• Use pecans or almonds for the nut coating instead of mixed nuts
• Fill with lemon curd or chocolate ganache instead of jelly for a more decadent version
• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for extra depth