Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg, separated
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 26 milk chocolate kisses

Preparation

Step 1

•In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until or until easy to handle.
• In a small bowl, whisk egg white until foamy. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; dip in egg white, then roll in nuts. Place on greased baking sheets. Using a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in center of each cookie. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until center is set.
• For filling, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, milk and vanilla; stir until smooth. Spoon or pipe 1/4 teaspoon into each warm cookie; gently press a chocolate kiss in the center. Carefully remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 dozen.