Brandy Old-Fashioned Thumbprints

Name: Brandy Old-Fashioned Thumbprints
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 3 dozen
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 teaspoons grated orange zest; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup orange juice; 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; CHERRY FILLING:; 1 cup red tart cherry fruit spread; 1 cup finely chopped brandied cocktail cherries; 2 tablespoons brandy; 1/2 teaspoon bitters; Pinch of salt; ORANGE BRANDY GLAZE:; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 3 teaspoons orange juice; 2-1/2 teaspoons brandy; 2-3 dashes bitters; 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest; Pinch of salt; Grated orange zest, for garnish, optional

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min./batch

Yield about 3 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

These thumbprint cookies taste just like a classic Wisconsin brandy old-fashioned cocktail. The shortbread cookie bursts at the seams with orange flavor, while the brandied cherry filling brings the boozy flavor. Serve them alongside a cocktail for a perfect after-dinner treat. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
CHERRY FILLING:
1 cup red tart cherry fruit spread
1 cup finely chopped brandied cocktail cherries
2 tablespoons brandy
1/2 teaspoon bitters
Pinch of salt
ORANGE BRANDY GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 teaspoons orange juice
2-1/2 teaspoons brandy
2-3 dashes bitters
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
Pinch of salt
Grated orange zest, for garnish, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream first 4 ingredients until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with orange juice, beating well after each addition.
Fit a pastry bag with a large open star tip. Transfer dough to prepared bag; pipe 1-in. stars 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Using the back of a rounded teaspoon measure, make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients; set aside.
Bake cookies until bottoms are light brown, 12-13 minutes. Cool on pan 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.
For glaze, in a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with additional orange zest, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 138 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.