Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

This recipe was originally from Emeril Lagasse in 2003. I've been making it ever since he aired it on TV. They are the best Christmas cookies. 

**Makes about 2 Dozen Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• 2 tablespoons Cointreau (Orange Liquor)
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the jam and Cointreau. .

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix the butter and sugar in a mixer until light and creamy. Beat in the egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions and beat just until moist clumps form. Form small balls of dough out of the batter and place on greased cookie sheet. 

Use your floured index finger or 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to create depressions in the center of each ball. Fill each indentation with nearly 1/2 teaspoon of the jam mixture. 

Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.