• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 Tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1-3/4 cups flour
• Sugar to dust

1. Cream butter, brown sugar, and egg in a mixing bowl. Add water and vanilla. Mix together rest of ingredients and add to the creamed mixture. Shape into walnut-sized balls and place on greased baking sheets. Flatten with a fork dipped in water and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes. Makes 3-1/2 dozen.
2. (Using a fork didn't work for me, I used the bottom of a small juice glass dipped in water.)

I found this in the 2004 TOH Best Holiday Recipes.