Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Poppy Seed Cookies

Another Christmas cookie at our house - this is from my mother's cookie collection and it's a favorite with my dad and brothers.... very pretty cookie, really dresses up a plate of cookies.

1 cup butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 egg yolks
3 TBSP poppy seeds
2 cups sifted flour

To decorate after the cookies are cool -
1 jar cinnamon jelly
1 jar mint jelly

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and the eggs - one at a time and beat well. Add flour and salt - blend well. Stir in poppy seeds and mix well.

Chill dough 3 – 4 hours.
Shape in 1" balls and place on parchment covered cookie sheet one inch apart.
Bake at 375 degrees for 12 – 15 minutes until very slightly browned.
After removing from the oven, press centers of cookies with your thumb and let cool a few minutes before removing them from the cookie sheet.
Cool on racks – remove from racks and gently press again before filling the impression with jelly.
Let sit out overnight for jelly to set up.

This is a very rich cookie.