Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies


 * About 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

 * 1/2 	cup  	(1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
 * 2/3 	cup 	Sugar
 * 1 		egg, separated
 * 2 	tbsp 	milk
 * 1 	tsp 	vanilla extract
 * 1 	cup 	all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 	cup 	HERSHEY'S cocoa
 * 1/4 	tsp 	salt
 * 1 	cup 	Chopped nuts
 * vanilla FILLING (recipe follows)
 * 26 HERSHEY'S KISSES chocolates, HERSHEY'S HUGS
 * Chocolates or pecan halves or candied cherry halves

Directions

 * 1) Beat butter, Sugar, egg yolk, milk and vanilla in medium bowl until light and fluffy. 
 * 2) Stir together flour, HERSHEY'S cocoa and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended.
 * 3) Refrigerate dough at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
 * 4) Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet.
 * 5) Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
 * 6) With fork, beat egg white slightly. 
 * 7) Dip each ball into egg white; roll in nuts. 
 * 8) Place on prepared cookie sheet. 
 * 9) Press thumb gently in center of each cookie.
 * 10) Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. 
 * 11) Meanwhile, prepare vanilla FILLING. 
 * 12) Remove wrappers from HERSHEY'S KISSES chocolates.
 * 13) Remove cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool 5 minutes. 
 * 14) Spoon about 1/4 teaspoon filling into each thumbprint. 
 * 15) Gently press HERSHEY'S KISSES chocolate in center of each cookie. 
 * 16) Cool completely.

Vanilla FILLING

 * 1) Combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon softened butter or margarine, 2 teaspoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl; beat until smooth.
 * 2) VARIATION: Omit egg white and chopped nuts. <BR>
 * 3) Roll balls in granulated sugar. <BR>
 * 4) Bake as directed. <BR>
 * 5) Top with vanilla FILLING and chocolate, pecan or cherry half.