Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Description

 * Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

 * ½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
 * ⅔ cup sugar
 * 1 egg, separated
 * 2 tbsp milk
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract
 * 1 cup all-purpose flour
 * ⅓ cup Hershey's cocoa
 * ¼ tsp salt
 * 1 cup chopped nuts
 * 26 Hershey's Kisses chocolates, Hershey's Hugs chocolates or pecan halves or candied cherry halves

Vanilla filling

 * ½ cup powdered sugar
 * 1 tablespoon softened butter or margarine
 * 2 teaspoons milk
 * ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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.
 * 5) Lightly grease cookie sheet.
 * 6) Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
 * 7) With fork, beat egg white slightly.
 * 8) Dip each ball into egg white; roll in nuts.
 * 9) Place on prepared cookie sheet.
 * 10) Press thumb gently in center of each cookie.
 * 11) Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set.
 * 12) Meanwhile, prepare vanilla filling.
 * 13) Remove wrappers from Hershey's Kisses chocolates.
 * 14) Remove cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool 5 minutes.
 * 15) Spoon about ¼ teaspoon filling into each thumbprint.
 * 16) Gently press chocolate, nut or cherry into center of each cookie.
 * 17) Cool completely.

Vanilla filling

 * 1) Combine powdered sugar, softened butter or margarine, milk and vanilla extract in small bowl.
 * 2) Beat until smooth.

Variation

 * 1) Omit egg white and chopped nuts.
 * 2) Roll balls in granulated sugar.