Carla Stewart's Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Carla, pictured on left

Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of five novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.”

She launched her writing career in 2002 when she earned the coveted honor of attending the Guidepost’s Writers Workshop in Rye, New York. Since then she’s had numerous magazine and anthology articles published. Carla was the 2011 trophy winner of the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. “Best Book of Fiction”, an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award (Faith, Hope, and Love) finalist in 2011 and winner in 2012, a two-time Genesis winner, and an Oklahoma Book Award finalist four times. She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren (with one on the way!). Learn more about Carla at www.carlastewart.com

Carla's Newest Release - The Hatmaker's Heart 

For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman's best qualities. She knows she's fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell's fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stutter she's had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.

But it seems Nell's gift won't be hidden by Oscar's efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is. Purchase Carla's books HERE.

Carla's Recipe for Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon lemon extract
½ teaspoon vanilla
One small jar of lemon curd
One small jar of lime curd

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in lemon extract and vanilla. Add flour and mix well. 

Refrigerate dough (covered) for half an hour. Roll into small balls and place 2 inches apart on cooking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper. Make a thumb indent in center of each ball before baking. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Cool and fill each “thumbprint” with a teaspoon of the lemon or lime curd. Refrigerate leftovers cookies in air tight container. Melt in your mouth goodness perfect for tea parties or an indulgence with a cup of hot tea in the afternoon!