Branbury Tarts

I chose this recipe out of my great grandmother’s collection because I thought it was going to be more like a turnover. I don’t know what I was thinking. They seem to be basically thumbprint cookies. But who am I to question a recipe?

And again, a basic instruction was left out. I suppose everyone knew what, “… bake in a slow oven until brown,” meant several decades ago. Time frames! I need time frames!

I think I baked them between 25 and 30 minutes. I lost track of time because I was also trying to get ready for work. I just kept checking them.

One more note: They are quite possibly the best cookies / tarts I’ve ever eaten! Recipe below:

Branbury Tarts

3 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 3/4 cups flour (I used all purpose)
Strawberry preserves ( I used raspberry preserves)
Pecan halves (I used sliced almonds)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, salt, vanilla and flour. Mix well. Form into balls the size of walnuts and place on cookie sheet. Dent each ball in the center. Fill dents with small preserves. Top each with a pecan (or several almond slices) and bake in a slow oven 325 degrees until brown.

Tip: it takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven when the bottoms of the tarts begin to get crispy brown. Also, I halved the recipe, and only baked a few at a time. I am keeping the dough in the refrigerator so I can bake some fresh for my in-laws.

Brownie points for me!