1/2 c. shortening, part butter
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg, separated
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. finely chopped nuts
Jelly or tinted powdered sugar icing

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix shortening, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping method, or by sifting. Blend together flour and salt; stir in. Roll dough into balls, 1 teaspoon per ball.

Beat egg white slightly with fork. Dip balls in egg white; roll in nuts; place about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake as balls for 5 minutes, then take them out and make thumbprints; then bake another 6-8 minutes. Cool; fill thumbprints with jelly or tinted icing. Makes 3 dozen cookies. Fill with jam as you use them. Can be frozen as balls without jam or icing, until ready to use.