Thumbprint Cookies

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg yolk
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg white
1 cup finely chopped nuts
About 6 tablespoons jelly or jam, any flavor

1) Heat oven to 350F. In medium bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, butter, vanilla and egg yolk with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour and salt.

2) Shape dough into 1-inch balls. In small bowl, beat egg white slightly with fork. Place nuts in another small bowl. Dip each ball into egg white, then roll in nuts. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls about 1 inch apart. Press thumb or end of wooden spoon into center of each cookie to make indentation, but do not press all the way to the cookie sheet.

3)Bake about 10 minutes or until light brown. Quickly remake indentations with end of wooden spoon if necessary, immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 measuring teaspoon of the jelly.

Fudgy Peanut Cookies
Roll balls of dough in finely chopped salted dry-roasted peanuts. Cool completely , fill indentations with purchased hot fudge topping or hazelnut spread with cocoa(from 13-oz jar) instead of jelly.

Lemon-Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Roll balls of dough in finely chopped slivered almonds. Fill indentations with Lemon Curd or purchased lemon curd instead of the jelly.