Giant's Thumbprint Butter Cookies

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a baking sheet.
2. 2
   In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
3. 3
   Add the vanilla scrapings and salt and mix until incorporated.
4. 4
   Add the flour and mix at low speed until incorporated. Using your hands, roll the dough into golf-ball-sized balls and arrange them 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet, flattening them out a bit as you go. Using your thumb, press the top of each cookie to make a shallow well.
5. 5
   Roll your thumb back and forth to widen the well. Using a small spoon, fill the wells with jam.
6. 6
   Bake until very lightly browned around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
7. 7
   Let cool on the pan. Store in an airtight container.