Simple Christmas Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Some recipes smell like December. These Simple Christmas Jam Thumbprint Cookies fill the kitchen with butter and vanilla while the sweet jam bubbles just slightly at the edges. They’re soft, golden, and sparkle with sugar a cookie that feels like home and looks like a gift. And yes, they’re surprisingly easy to make for any holiday table.

Why You’ll Love These Simple Christmas Jam Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies check every holiday box: buttery, festive, and absolutely beginner-friendly. The ingredients are simple, but the result looks bakery-perfect. They’re great for kids to help with, since the “thumbprint” step is as fun as it sounds. Plus, they freeze beautifully, making them ideal for last-minute guests or cookie swaps.

They also fit right in next to your chocolate thumbprint cookies for a festive twist or peppermint bark brownies perfect for Christmas dessert trays.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Provides structure and a tender crumb.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and deepens flavor.
• Unsalted butter (1 cup): Cool room temperature butter creates a smooth, rich texture without spreading too much.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and a light crunch.
• Light brown sugar (3 tablespoons): Brings subtle caramel warmth.
• Egg yolk (1 large): Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Enhances flavor depth.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup, for rolling): Gives each cookie a sparkly holiday finish.
• Thick jam (2/3 cup): Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot — the key is using a thick jam that holds its shape while baking.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

You can easily adapt this recipe. Use a gluten-free flour blend (1:1) to make them gluten-free. Swap vanilla for almond extract (3/4 teaspoon) for a nutty twist or lemon extract for a bright note. For egg-free cookies, mix 2 tablespoons milk or cream instead of the yolk. Try different jams — apricot for golden color, blackberry for deep contrast, or a red-and-gold mix for a cheerful platter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour and salt together, then set aside.
2. Beat butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and slightly fluffy.
3. Add sugars: Mix in both sugars and cream until light.
4. Add wet ingredients: Blend in the egg yolk and vanilla until fully incorporated.
5. Combine: Gradually mix in the flour mixture until dough forms — don’t overmix.
6. Shape: Roll dough into 1 1/2 teaspoon-sized balls and coat in sugar.
7. Press: Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a deep indentation in each.
8. Chill: Freeze cookies for 30 minutes to help them hold shape.
9. Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C).
10. Fill and bake: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of jam into each center. Bake 10–12 minutes, one sheet at a time, until the edges turn golden.
11. Cool: Let cookies cool fully on the sheet. The jam will set as they rest.

Expert Tips for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies

• Make deep indentations before baking, or they’ll puff up and lose shape.
• Do not overfill with jam to prevent bubbling.
• Always use thick jam — thin jam will run.
• Let cookies cool on the pan, not a rack, so the centers firm up nicely.
• Avoid overmixing; it makes the cookies tough.

If you love cookies that stay soft and chewy, try my soft and chewy pumpkin sugar cookies for festive cookie tins.

Flavor Ideas and Festive Twists

You can easily mix up the look and flavor. Raspberry gives a bright red color, apricot shines golden, and blackberry offers deep richness. For a little flair, drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar before serving. They also pair beautifully with easy pistachio pudding cookies for colorful holiday platters.

Serving Suggestions

These thumbprints fit anywhere — on a dessert tray, in cookie boxes, or beside a mug of cocoa. They’re lovely after dinner or tucked into a Christmas Eve plate with milk. Try including them with classic peanut butter cookies with a holiday touch and chocolate crinkle cookies to complement jam-filled holiday favorites.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, with parchment between layers. For long-term storage, freeze for up to three months and thaw at room temperature. The dough can also chill in the fridge for up to two days — bring it to room temp before rolling. In fact, the flavor deepens after a day as the butter and jam meld together.

Quick Recipe Summary

Prep time: 30–45 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: 40–57 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Yield: About 4 servings
Storage: Up to 1 week at room temp or 3 months frozen
Calories: 3400–3700 total; Protein: 28–34 g; Fat: 165–185 g; Carbs: 450–490 g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

More Such Recipes

• Chocolate thumbprint cookies for a festive twist
• Classic peanut butter cookies with a holiday touch
• Easy pistachio pudding cookies for colorful holiday platters
• Soft and chewy pumpkin sugar cookies for festive cookie tins
• Patriotic sugar cookie bars that double as winter celebration treats
• Chocolate crinkle cookies to complement jam-filled holiday favorites

Conclusion

These Simple Christmas Jam Thumbprint Cookies bring joy in the easiest way buttery, jewel-toned, and full of cozy flavor. They’re quick enough for spontaneous baking and pretty enough to gift. So warm up the oven, open your favorite jam, and let your kitchen smell like Christmas again.

You can find more festive baking ideas on Pinterest or join the holiday fun on Facebook.

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