Recipe: Cherry Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Recipe: Cherry Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

For our thumbprint cookies, we like to use our own Backwoods Provisions Cherry Butter. But if you can't wait to make them, here's a simple recipe you can use to whip up some at home. It won't be quite the same without our secret ingredients, but it'll do the trick.

For Homemade Cherry Butter: 

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Thumbprint Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cherry Butter (prepared as above)

Instructions:

Making Cherry Butter:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted and halved cherries, granulated sugar, water, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cherries are soft and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency.

4. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Allow the cherry butter to cool to room temperature.

Making Thumbprint Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

5. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.

6. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.

7. Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the cherry butter.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are set and just starting to turn golden around the edges.

9. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Serve your Cherry Butter Thumbprint Cookies and enjoy the delightful blend of sweet, buttery cookies with a burst of cherry flavor in the center.

These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to afternoon tea with friends. Enjoy!