1/2 cup shortening or butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts

For Dipping and Rolling:

1 egg white, for dipping
additional chopped nuts, for rolling

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Roll into 1-inch balls. Dip in slightly beaten egg white. Roll in nuts. Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven, quickly press thumb gently on top of each cookie. Return to oven and bake 8 minutes longer. Cool.

Place in thumbprints, a bit of candied fruit, sparkling jelly or tinted confectioners sugar icing.