Noel Cookie Gems
Delightful holiday cookies featuring a tender, nut-coated base filled with jam, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and nutty flavor, ideal for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine shortening, sugar, egg, and vanilla; set aside.
- Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and soda.
- Add to the shortening mixture alternately with sour cream, mixing well.
- Shape into 1.5-inch balls and roll in chopped nuts.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet 1 inch apart.
- Press thumb into the center of each cookie and fill with jam.
- Bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of shortening. If you're looking for a nut-free version, you can replace the chopped nuts with crushed cornflakes for added crunch. Additionally, try using different flavors of jam, such as raspberry or apricot, for a unique twist. Be sure to chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping for extra tenderness.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, serve them alongside other holiday treats like American Apple Pie or Southern Granola. Consider arranging them on a decorative platter for parties or gifting them in a pretty box for friends and family.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Noel Cookie Gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To maintain their freshness, you can also freeze them for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Noel Cookie Gems contains roughly 717 calories, with 13g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (34% of the Daily Value), protein (26% of the Daily Value), and iron (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1133mg per serving (49% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make these cookies more festive?
To add a festive touch, consider mixing in colored sprinkles or using seasonal jam flavors like cranberry or orange marmalade. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking for an extra special treat. For a fun presentation, use cookie cutters to shape the dough instead of rolling it into balls.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).