The first bite of a thumbprint cookie always feels like a surprise waiting in the center. Sweet jam tucked into buttery shortbread, soft yet crisp around the edges. These cookies are a joy on Christmas trays, but they’re also the kind you’ll want with tea on a rainy afternoon or tucked into lunchboxes year-round.
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Why You’ll Love These Thumbprint Cookies
These thumbprint cookies bring together buttery shortbread and bright jam for the perfect holiday treat. They have a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs with tart or sweet fillings. Because they use just a handful of simple pantry ingredients, they’re also a stress-free recipe.
You can bake them for Christmas, but they fit just as well at baby showers, spring gatherings, or Sunday dessert. Kids love pressing the centers, and adults appreciate the nostalgic flavor. Best of all, the dough is very forgiving, so it’s perfect even if you’re not an experienced baker.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for the creamiest dough.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar both sweetens and adds crunch when rolled.
- Flour: All-purpose flour keeps the cookies tender yet sturdy.
- Vanilla or Almond Extract: Vanilla is classic, while almond adds a bakery-style flavor.
- Jam: Raspberry and apricot are traditional, but strawberry, cherry, or even orange marmalade taste wonderful.
- Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness.
You can also drizzle them with icing or skip the sugar coating if you prefer a smoother surface.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
Prepare the Dough
First, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should look pale and creamy. Then, mix in the vanilla and salt. Gradually add flour while scraping the bowl. If the dough feels crumbly, knead it lightly with your hands until it comes together.
Chill and Shape the Cookies
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. This step helps the cookies keep their shape. After chilling, scoop a tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and coat with sugar. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into each ball to make an indentation. If cracks form, gently press the sides back together.
Fill with Jam and Bake
Spoon about half a teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Be careful not to overfill since jam can bubble out. Bake at 350°F for 14 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the pan for one minute before transferring to a wire rack.
Storage and Freezing Guide
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. If you refrigerate them, they last about a week. You can freeze baked cookies for a month.
Unbaked dough freezes even better. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight, then roll and fill as usual.
Expert Tips for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies
- Prevent spreading: Chill the dough longer if it feels too soft.
- Best jams: Thicker jams or preserves work best because they stay put while baking.
- Indentation trick: Press once before baking, then again lightly halfway through if needed.
- Flavor twists: Swap vanilla for almond extract, drizzle cooled cookies with icing, or skip rolling in sugar for a smooth finish.
Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Card
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Thumbprint Cookies – Amazing Buttery Jam Treat
- Total Time: 95 minutes
- Yield: 36 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, shortbread-style treats with jewel-bright jam centers. The dough mixes fast, chills for clean shaping, and bakes into tender cookies with lightly crisp edges that sparkle on any holiday tray.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
⅔ cup granulated sugar, plus ⅓ cup for rolling
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup jam, such as apricot or seedless raspberry
Instructions
1. Beat butter and ⅔ cup sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and creamy.
2. Add vanilla extract and salt, then beat until combined.
3. Reduce to low speed and gradually add flour, scraping the bowl as needed.
4. If the dough seems crumbly, knead briefly by hand to bring it together.
5. Shape dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
7. Place ⅓ cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl.
8. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough, roll into a ball, and coat in sugar.
9. Place on baking sheet and press a thumb into each ball to form an indentation.
10. Fill each indentation with ½ teaspoon jam.
11. Bake 14 to 15 minutes until bottom edges lightly brown.
12. Cool 1 minute on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use thicker jams to prevent spreading.
If dough spreads, chill longer before baking.
Do not overfill with jam or it may bubble over.
Dough is easier to work with when well chilled.
Optional variations include almond extract, an icing drizzle, or skipping the sugar roll for a smoother surface.
Jam ideas include raspberry, apricot, strawberry, cherry, and orange marmalade.
For even indentations, press again gently after the first press to level the center.
Storage: room temperature 3 to 5 days, fridge up to 1 week, freeze baked cookies up to 1 month, freeze unbaked dough up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 99
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 34mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 14mg
More Such Recipes
For more holiday ideas, check out my cranberry orange snowball cookies for holiday dessert platters. If you love chocolate, you’ll enjoy these chocolate frosted Christmas brownies for festive baking. You can also try whipped shortbread cookies for a melt-in-your-mouth treat, or these red velvet crinkle cookies with a festive flair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jam is best for thumbprint cookies?
Raspberry and apricot are the most popular choices. However, strawberry, cherry, or orange marmalade also work beautifully. Thicker jams hold their shape best.
How do I keep thumbprint cookies from cracking?
Cracks are common, but you can reduce them by rolling the dough smoothly and pressing gently. If cracks appear, pinch the dough together before filling.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake them a day or two in advance. Store in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for a few days. You can also freeze the dough or baked cookies for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
Thumbprint cookies are simple, sweet, and endlessly adaptable. The buttery shortbread hugs the jam like a little jewel, making them as beautiful as they are tasty. Try different jams to match the season, and share them with family or friends. For even more holiday inspiration, you can see ideas on Pinterest or join the baking fun on Facebook.