Someone should figure out a way to make "scratch and sniff" digital images because my house smells so awesome right now and if only I could capture that in a photo...

Holiday decorations are up all around and it makes me think of cookies. My mom always made dozens of cookies around Thanksgiving to have on hand for the holidays and give as gifts to others or just for family treats. No store bought cookie can compare to something homemade and my mom has perfected many cookie recipes over the years. The cookies that I made this morning are one of my mom's favorites. They're called Fannies – after my mom's great Aunt Fanny who baked them all the time. These are straightforward butter cookies with a jam center and they're utterly delicious.

There are three things about Fannies that make them a truly phenomenal thing:

1. There are 7 ingredients and nothing unpronounceable.

2. They're meant to be small. I don't know why companies, bakeries and restaurants keep making cookies the size of my head but I find it absolutely absurd.

3. They have a lovely balance of sweet and salt.

If you're looking for a cookie recipe for the holiday season or to bring to your Thanksgiving table, give these Fannies a try. They're easy (I make them with my two year old) and delicious but as an added bonus, they are an incredible air freshener.

Fannies
½ lb. butter
½ cup sugar
½ tsp. salt
2 cups flour
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
Jam

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with a mixer until they become light and fluffy. Add the flour slowly and mix to combine. Add the egg yolks, salt and vanilla extract and mix together until the dough forms.

Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and flatten them slightly with your hands. Using your thumb, press a bit in the center to make room for the jam. Add a dollop of jam to the center of each cookie. Place the cookies about an inch apart. Bake for approximately 25 minutes.