MARMALADE GEM COOKIES

MARMALADE GEM COOKIES image

Yield 4 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons minced orange peel (from about 3 oranges), orange part only
1/3 cup ground pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup (about) orange marmalade

Steps:

Using electric mixer, beat unsalted butter, powdered sugar and minced orange peel in large bowl until fluffy. Add ground pecans, vanilla extract and salt, and beat 30 seconds. Add flour and stir until just combined. Cover and refrigerate cookie dough 1 hour. Position racks in top and lowest thirds of oven and preheat to 350 F. Working in batches, pinch off pieces of dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Place balls in ungreased cookie sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Press thumb into center of each ball to form well. Spoon some marmalade into each well. Bake cookies until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool. Cookies can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store at room temperature in airtight container.