PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, butter, 1/2 cup sugar, egg, milk, vanilla, salt and baking soda in large bowl. Beat 3 to 4 minutes, scraping bowl often, until well blended.
2. Roll dough, 1/2 at a time, to 1/8-inch thickness on well-floured surface. Cut dough with 2-1/2-inch round cookie cutter. Place 1/2 of cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; place level teaspoonful preserves in center of each cutout.
3. Make small "X" or cutout with very small cookie cutter in top of each remaining cutout. Place over preserves; press edges together with fork. Sprinkle with sugar.
4. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Remove cookies immediately to wire racks to cool completely.