COCONUT THUMBPRINTS

1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, separated
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup thick preserves or jam

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, cream the shortening with the sugar, egg yolk and vanilla at medium speed of an electric mixer. Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture. Blend together well. Form batter into balls about 1-inch in diameter. Beat egg white until slightly frothy. Dip the dough balls into the egg white then roll in the coconut. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Make a shallow depression in the center of each cookie, using your thumb. Place 1/2 teaspoon of preserves or jam in the depression of each cookie. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 or 9 minutes or until coconut begins to brown. Cool on baking sheets about 1 or 2 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: approximately 2 dozen cookies

Note: File Photo