Page 31 of Serving Bunt

He nodded with understanding. “Get some rest, ‘Bama.”

I turned toward my cabin before I could change my mind.

“Matty,” he called out after me.

I looked over my shoulder.

“Just so you know, I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “When you’re ready, I’ll be right here.”

I closed my eyes for a second, letting the words settle somewhere deep in my chest, then kept walking.

Abuelita's Mantecaditos

Puerto Rican guava thumbprint cookies, aka Mantecaditos, are buttery, crisp, sweet and oh, so festive! Manteca means lard or butter in Spanish so you could translate these as little butter cookies. These tender shortbread style cookies feature a guava paste center, and are especially popular for Christmas.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter*, at room temperature

½ cup shortening or lard

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla)

½ teaspoon salt*

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

Sprinkles or guava paste for filling

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper, or use an ungreased cookie pan.

In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening (or lard) and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Stir in almond extract, salt and flour until all the ingredients are well combined.

Divide dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons each.

Create an indent in each cookie with your thumb.

Add sprinkles or a small cube of guava paste (about ½ inch cube).

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are golden.

Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

Pair these with an ice cold glass of coquito for a very merry Christmas. Don't forget to share some with the neighbors!