Spitzbuben

Directions

1. 1
   Beat the butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. 2
   Add the sugar and beat again until pale and fluffy.
3. 3
   Gradually beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. 4
   Sift in the flour and salt and stir until combined.
5. 5
   The dough must be firm enough to roll out; add more flour, if needed.
6. 6
   Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
7. 7
   Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper.
8. 8
   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to 1/4 in (5mm) thickness on a lightly floured surface.
9. 9
   Using a fluted 3 in (5cm) cookie cutter, gathering and rerolling the trimmings as needed, cut out 18 rounds.
10. 10
    Using a plain 1 in (5cm) cookie cutter, cut the centers out of 9 of the rounds.
11. 11
    Place the rounds on the baking sheets.
12. 12
    Bake 10 minutes, until the cookies are pale golden.
13. 13
    Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
14. 14
    Spread each of the solid cookies with about 1 tbsp of the preserves.
15. 15
    Top each with a cut-out cookie.
16. 16
    Sift confectioner's sugar over the cookies and serve.