Description
Buttery shortbread Thumbprint Cookies with soft centers and jewel-bright jam. Simple to make, cozy to share, and perfect for Christmas trays or a tea break.
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
3 tbsp (40g) granulated sugar, optional for rolling
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/3 cups (290g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 cup strawberry or apricot jam (or your favorite jam)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
2. Cream softened butter and 2/3 cup sugar for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth.
3. Mix in egg yolks, vanilla, and salt until fully combined.
4. Add flour. Mix until dough comes together. It may look crumbly at first.
5. Scoop 1 tablespoon portions. Roll into balls, then optionally roll in 3 tbsp sugar.
6. Place on prepared sheets. Press an indentation in each with your thumb or a wooden spoon handle.
7. Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon jam.
8. Bake 12 to 14 minutes until tops are set and bottoms are lightly golden.
9. Cool on the sheet for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Yield: about 42 cookies. Serving size: 1 cookie.
Storage: airtight at room temperature or fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing baked cookies: up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Freezing dough: roll into balls and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Indent, fill, and bake.
Tips: spoon and level flour. Mix until dough forms. Avoid overbaking.
Jam ideas: strawberry, apricot, raspberry, lemon curd, or chocolate ganache.
If eggs are cold, place in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes before separating.
If dough feels soft, chill 15 minutes before shaping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg