Lemon Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

These have long been a favorite with my children, in no small part for the kinetic molding method (what kid doesn't love to stick their fingers into cookie dough?) and because they are nearly infinitely customizable. At least in my kitchen... Because you fill the thumbprint with jam or jelly, and I usually have anywhere from 6-12 varieties of those in the pantry. Now, it's closer to 6 since I'm not on the Farm and putting up dozens of jars of berries and fruits into delicious preserves, but it's still a fun way to make special cookies the kids - and others! - will love.

They may not be pretty but they are sure tasty!

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Balls of dough, and some with 'prints' ready for filling.

For this batch I used two fillings - Peach Skin Jelly, and a Blueberry Jam that didn't gel well. The jelly wound up sinking into the cookie, but the flavor played nicely with the lemon and cream cheese. The blueberry was just wonderful and it might be my favorite after Chokecherry Jelly (which I can't get anymore, since they don't seem to grow near me in Ohio).

Blueberry jam

The cookies that result from this are moist, tender, flaky, and have a little candy center packed with flavor. Truly scrumptious!