Sugar Plums

1 1/4 c flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c butter, room temp
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 dark raisins, finely chopped
1/4 c pitted dates, finely chopped
1/4 c pecans, finely chopped
1 Tbsp plum jam
colored decorating sugar
3 Tbsp butter, melted
Combine flour, salt and baking powder in bowl. Beat together butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in small bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture. Flatten dough into disk; wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour (or freeze 30 minutes). Meanwhile, combine raisins, dates, pecans, and jam in bowl. Break off rounded measuring teaspoons of dough. With floured hands, roll into 3/4" balls. Make deep indentation in center of each ball. Spoon about 1/4 tsp raisin mixture into center. Pinch dough closed, reshaping with filling in center. Place on greased baking sheets. Refrigerate 1 hour. Bake in preheated 350º oven for 12 minutes. Remove cookies to wire rack. Divide colored sugars into bowls. While cookies are still warm, brush with melted butter; roll in colored sugar. Cool on rack.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

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