Kaufman’s Thumbprint Cookies

A delicious and tender thumbprint cookie rolled in jimmies then topped off with a pile of sweet buttercream frosting.

They were the Kaufmann’s Thumbprint Cookies.   Kaufmann’s had a huge store downtown and in that store was the Arcade Bakery. This bakery made the now famous Pittsburgh thumbprints.

After the cookies are baked they need to cool on the rack. Once cooled start on your buttercream frosting. I usually make one batch of buttercream then dye it different colors.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1/3 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. shortening
• 6 Tablespoons butter softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 c. cake flour
• Colored jimmies

For the frosting:

• 8 Tablespoons 1 stick butter
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl combine the sugar, butter, shortening, and salt. Mix well for 2-3 minutes or until smooth.
• Add in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix well.
• Add in the cake flour and gently mix until just combined.
• Roll the dough into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in jimmies and place on a baking sheet 2 inches apart. Press your thumb into each dough ball.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
• Cool completely.
• Meanwhile place the butter in a large bowl. Beat on medium high speed until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until a frosting forms.
• Dye the frosting desired colors. Put in a piping bag with a star tip and pipe into the center of each cookie.