EASTER THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Happy Easter! I love everything about this time of year: the beautiful spring weather, the colors, the produce, birds chirping in the morning, my birthday :) It's the one time in the year that I actually appreciate the color yellow; there's nothing like the friendliness of bright yellow daffodils.

Pastel colors are a must right now; it really cheers you up after all those winter blues. I always stock up on plenty of Cadbury's Mini Eggs come spring, not only do I love eating them, but they make the cutest decorations on cakes and cookies for Easter. I actually prefer the UK version of the Mini Eggs, they are more purple in color and have spots and specks on them just like birds eggs, but I couldn't get a hold of them.
We used to get so many huge Easter eggs when I was a kid from everyone, it was always a competition between us all to see who got the most. The supermarkets are absolutely filled with so many different Easter eggs this time of year in the UK.

These thumbprint cookies are very delicate and light like shortbread. They are very small, you get about two bites out of them, but they're the perfect Easter/spring treat, especially with the little mini egg on top. 

Easter Thumbprint Cookies: 
(makes 24)

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)
• 1 tablespoons butter

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

With an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Beat in the flour slowly until the dough has formed.

Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls. Place on an un-greased baking sheet and bake for 10 mins.

Then remove from the oven and press thumb prints into the center of the balls (I used the end of a utensil).

Place the tray back in the oven for a further 7-9 minutes or until lightly golden.

Allow the cookies to cool fully on a rack.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler until smooth.

Allow to cool slightly, then pour the chocolate into the cookies little thumbprints.

Add a chocolate mini egg on top for a cute Easter look.