Christmas Wreath Cookies (makes 3 dozen)

Tis the season to make cookies!  With so many choices which ones should you bake?  Well, it is Christmas...so my vote would be to make "Christmas Wreath" cookies.  Now, I am not much of a baker...especially using shortening, but I thought I would share this recipe for those who like to bake.

1 cup soft shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, separated
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups chopped nuts or coconut
1/2 cups raspberry or strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix shortening with sugar until very light & fluffy.  Mix in egg yolks, flour, salt.  Form into 1 inch balls. Dip into unbeaten egg whites, then remove with fork & drop into nuts. Place 1 inch apart, on greased cookie sheet. Make slight depression in center of each cookie. Bake 5 minutes then press center again; bake 10 minutes longer. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet. Fill centers with jam.

(Recipe from Mrs. Wilkes, Sanannah, GA)