Happy Independence Day! Split Second Cookie Recipe! Fast and Easy!

"Oh beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain.
for purple mountains majesty,
above the fruited plain.
America, America, God shed his Grace on thee,
and crowned thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea."

This morning I had a visit from some lovely friends who came to see what is left of the blooming lavender. And they brought me a jar of delicious Strawberry Lavender Jam. Well, after scarfing some down with toast, (after they left, of course!) I remembered this recipe from Christmas. So easy and quick when time is at a premium. Or when it's so hot you just want to run from the kitchen!

I believe I originally got the recipe from Taste of Home, always a good source for yummy goodies. The original recipe called for raspberry jam, but I always use just what I have in the cupboard. Thought I had blueberry or blackberry for the blue, but, oh well. Guess we'll just have lavender strawberry and apricot today.

They have a Thumbprint Cookie kind of texture. I have rolled them in chopped pecans first, then filled. And sometimes I drizzle on a little powdered sugar glaze. They're so...What's my fave word? Versatile! Plus, I never follow a recipe exactly. That's the beautiful thing about baking and cooking...be creative folks!
A big thank-you to Sharri for the jam!

Split Second Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup jam, you choose the variety

Directions:
1.In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

2.Divide dough into four equal portions; shape each into a 12-in. x 3/4-inch log. Place 4 inches apart on two greased baking sheets. Make a 1/2-inch depression down center of logs; fill with jam.

3.Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes. Cut diagonally into 3/4-inch slices. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Hopefully you're not in the kitchen today and are out enjoying yourself. Wishing you a happy 4th of July! Celebrate that independent spirit!

Cathy

P.S. You might also want to check last year's post on the S'More's Bar! Also a great way to stay out of the kitchen!