Cookies...and more!!

For all of you who have been wondering where I disappeared to....I am alive.  Very alive and very pregnant!  Due to being pregnant, (I am 13 weeks along as I write this), food has been both the least appealling and most satisfying thing, if that's possible.  I have been hungry and nauseous at the same time.  I won't go into any more detail then that, but let's just say those two things together are not a pretty combination.

ANYWAY, I have been asked/begged by friends to get back to blogging, so as my entrance back into the blogging world, I am re-posting my favorite cookie recipe!  For those who have been reading from the start, I apologize.  But hey, who doesn't like to be reminded of the best cookies ever!  I just finished making these cookies, (*note...do not use Smuckers Simply Fruit Jam...great as jam, but it just got runny in the oven.  Use preserves.), so my house smells amazing!  I even invited my parents over for dessert tonight so they can see our Christmas tree, eat some yummy cookies, and watch Frosty the Snowman!  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!  I'll try to blog more about fun things we do this Christmas and if I don't....now you know why!!  :)

Carousel Cookies

Though I can't take credit for the recipe (not sure where my mom got it from), I love these cookies! Love might not be a strong enough word...I am blown away by them!! I make these cookies every year and they would be eaten up in about a day, if I let that happen.

1 cup butter (and real butter makes all the difference)

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg, seperated

1 tsp real vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups flour

1 cup chopped pecans

Preserves-whatever flavors are your favorite

Preheat oven: 375

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy

Blend in egg yolk, vanilla, and salt. Add flour; mix well until dough is stiff, but able to be formed into balls.

Beat egg whites until frothy:

Shape dough into teaspoon size balls.

I like to shape all of the dough instead of doing each step individually. That way nuts and egg whites don't mix into the dough.



After rolling the dough, dip each ball into egg whites and roll in nuts. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Indent centers using your thumb::

Fill with preserves and bake 10-12 minutes, or until slightly brown. They will not get very brown, but the nuts will become toasted.

Enjoy! I hope they become a favorite in your house as much as they are in mine!