My children's paternal grandmother, Lily, passed away, much too young, right before Christmas of 1981. Amy was 7 and Chuck was 5. It was a heart wrenching experience. My first experience with death of someone to whom I was very close. A death that my children and their cousin had to learn to cope with at their young ages.
Lil was not just a second mother to me but a very dear friend. She was the best grandmother I had ever met. That's saying something because my grandmother and mother were pretty darn amazing.
I strive to be half of the grandmother that she was to Jennifer, Amy and Chuck. When those children were at her house, nothing else mattered. She spent time with them; reading, talking, playing games, going for walks, taking them shopping. They were never a bother and never a burden. Her face lit up each time one of those kids walked into a room.
Each Christmas, Lil would make Thumbprint cookies. They were my kid's dad's favorite cookie and I was soon making them each year as well. My kid's grew up, their dad and I separated and we began a new chapter of our lives with Frank, Anthony and Nicole.
When Amy got her own place, she took over the making of the Thumbprints and still makes them each year for her Dad.
I hadn't made them in years but this season, my mind and heart have been heavy with the losses that always seem so much harder over the holidays. In two day's I will be remembering my brother, Dan, who died on December 10th, way too soon. He was the same age that I am now.
December 13th is my mother's birthday, she died shortly after Christmas 2015 and my mother in law, Jane, died one month and one day later. This is our second Christmas without them. The house is no longer filled with my Pop's laughter and my nephew, Danny, has been missed for many years now.
I was feeling pretty darn sorry for myself but then Tuesday came.
Tuesday's I have my granddaughter. So I made sure my face lit up when she entered the room and then I took time with her. She helped me make these cookies that hold such fond and happy memories. I pray that, one day, these memories will help her to get through the rough spots that she will encounter in her life.
Thumbprint Cookies
adapted from Lily Moore
1 c. butter
1/2 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
1 c. brown sugar
3 c. flour
4 T. milk
1 c. miniature chocolate chips
powdered sugar
Glaze:
3/4 c. chocolate chips
1 T. shortening
2 T. light corn syrup
1 T. water
1 t.vanilla
In large bowl of stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, salt and vanilla. Mix in the brown sugar and gradually blend in the flour and milk. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Form into 1" balls and place onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Make an indentation in each ball with your thumb.
Bake in a preheated 375* oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack placed over parchment paper and generously sift powdered sugar over them. Let cool completely.
In a small pan, melt together the chocolate chips and shortening, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and blend in the corn syrup, water and vanilla. Place a dollop of this mixture in each indentation on the cookies.
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