THUMBPRINT COOKIES RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
• In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add cream cheese, flour and lemon zest; stir with spoon or hands until well blended.(DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.)
• Shape dough into 38 (1 1/4-inch) balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Press thumb into center of each cookie to make indentation, but do not press all the way to the cookie sheet.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remake indentation in each cookie with end of wooden spoon. Spoon rounded 1/4 teaspoon jam into each indentation. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir powdered sugar and lemon juice, adding lemon juice until desired drizzle consistency. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Store in airtight container.

Steps:

• Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla;mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to5 days.