Raspberry and Chocolate Thumbprints

Nothing signals the imminent holiday season like baking cookies. I don't think there is another month in the year where cookie consumption is so high. With all the varieties avaiable, it's no wonder. My own family has many favorites, but it seems like the common thread throughout them all is chocolate. This slightly different version of the classic thumbprint is just the ticket. Not to sweet and just chocolatey enough to satisfy.

Hands-On Time: 10 minutes
Ready In: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 dozen cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves
1/3 cup chocolate morsels

1. Cream butter and sugar together. Add yolks and blend well. Stir in vanilla.
2. Sift together flour and baking powder.
3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and stir until a soft and pliable dough forms.
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on cookie sheets.
Make an indentation in the tops of cookies with the handle of a wooden spoon or with your thumb.
6. Bake for 5 minutes and remove from oven.
7. Fill each indentation with seedless raspberry preserves -- using a baby spoon works well for this.
8. Place cookies back in the oven for 10 minutes, or until they just start to brown.
9. Remove from oven and immediately drop 2 or 3 chocolate morsels on top of each cookie. Let cool completely.
10. When cookies are cooled, dust with powdered sugar.