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I’ve tested and perfected these classic thumbprint cookies until they are so good, that I’m wondering why we only tend to make these around the holidays!?
With less than 10 simple ingredients, I’ll teach you how to make buttery cookies with a sweet jam center that leaves your friends and family begging for more.
These Simple Jam Thumbprint Cookies are a holiday staple.
These are seriously the best thumbprint cookies. When people think of thumbprint cookies, they often think these are only holiday cookies. While they are the perfect cookies to enjoy at Christmas time, you won’t forget them the rest of the year once you try this classic thumbprint cookie recipe!
These are great for a cookie exchange, a cookie platter for parties, bake sales, and any time you’re just craving a really good cookie. When you follow my step-by-step guide below, you’ll see just how easy it is to make perfect buttery thumbprint cookies any time!
Types of Thumbprint Cookies
In this recipe, I used two different types of jam for my thumbprint cookies (raspberry and apricot). However, there are so many different ways to make these cookies. Here are some different types of thumbprint cookies:
- Chocolate thumbprint cookies: These are made with either chocolate filling or a chocolate cookie base and chocolate filling.
- Other cookie variations: thumbprint cookies can be made with a red velvet base, a peanut butter base like these peanut butter blossom cookies, or even a coconut cookie base.
Why you will love this Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this recipe. Here are a few:
- Very easy recipe
- Under 10 basic ingredients
- Prepped and cooked in under 30 minutes
- Customize with your favorite jam
- Perfect for Christmas season or any time of year
Ingredients for Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
I love cookie recipes that don’t require tons of special ingredients or extra steps, making this one a winner! Get the full recipe with measurements and ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Unsalted butter: softened
- Granulated sugar
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Jam
For Rolling Cookies
- Granulated sugar
How to make Thumbprint Cookies with Jam
When you follow my step-by-step guide to make these easy jam thumbprint cookies, you can’t go wrong!
- Prep oven and baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
- Add egg. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch and salt. Mix on low until a soft cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until the ingredients are combined.
- Form balls. Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. You can use a cookie scoop or your hands for this.
- Roll in sugar. Roll each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar until it’s coated evenly.
- Arrange on baking sheet. Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
- Add jam. Spoon a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of jam into the indentation of each cookie. You can use your favorite flavor of jam or preserve.
- Bake and cool. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet completely.
How to Properly Measure Flour
The most accurate way to measure flour is to use a kitchen scale, weighing it in grams. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, follow this method:
- Aerate the flour with a whisk or spoon. Flour becomes heavy and compact as it sits. Aerating is the same as fluffing the flour, but not the same as sifting it. Do not sift the flour unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
- Use a spoon to sprinkle the flour into the measuring cup. Do not tap the cup against the counter, as this will compact the flour.
- Use the back of a butter knife to level off the excess.
Total Time Required
These shortbread style cookies come together quickly and easily. Here is the total time required broken down into steps:
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 13 minutes
- Cooling time: 10 minutes
Thumbprint Cookie Recipe Tips
For perfect thumbprint cookies, follow these tips:
- Use room temperature egg yolks: If possible, set the egg yolk out ahead of time so it becomes room temperature before adding it to the mixture. This will make the yolk mix better into the batter.
- Prevent spreading: To help prevent spreading, don’t place your cookies on a hot cookie sheet. Either alternate cookie sheets for multiple batches, or wait until your cookie sheet has completely cooled before putting your next batch of cookies on it. If the sheet is hot, the cookie dough will begin melting before it starts baking, making the cookies spread.
- Measure ingredients properly: It’s very important to measure your ingredients properly, especially the flour. Use my tips above for measuring flour correctly.
Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Variations
As I mentioned above, there are many different types of thumbprint cookies. There are also some simple variations of this recipe you could try:
- Lemon Curd: Try using lemon curd instead of jam or preserves.
- Different Jams: In this recipe, I use apricot jam and raspberry jam, but you can use any type of jam. Some ideas include pineapple jam, mango jam or strawberry jam.
- Add nuts: If you like nuts a little more crunch, try adding your favorite nuts, chopped finely, to the tops of the cookies. Pistachios are popular in thumbprint cookies.
Fun Ways to Serve Thumbprint Jam Cookies
Thumbprint cookies make a great addition to any cookie tray, with their colorful jam filling and addictive taste. I like to use different jams so there are multiple colors to make a pretty display. Here are a few creative ways to serve thumbprint cookies:
- Cookie Tower: Stack the cookies in a pyramid tower formation, alternating colors if you use different jams.
- Christmas Cookie Tin: Add these cookies to a Christmas-themed tin to give gifts for the holidays.
- Cookie Charcuterie Board: Spread these cookies around with different nuts, cheeses and chocolates.
- Cookie Wreath: Arrange the cookies in a circular pattern on a platter, creating a wreath.
Storing Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Store thumbprint cookies in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
These cookies also freeze well. Layer them between parchment paper or in one layer in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thumbprint Jam Cookies FAQs
The most common reason that thumbprint cookies may go flat is an incorrect ratio of butter to flour. Be sure to follow my tips above for properly measuring flour.
The best way to keep thumbprint cookies from cracking and to keep them soft is to use cornstarch. In this recipe, I use just the right amount of cornstarch so you have a buttery shortbread cookie that doesn’t crack.
The most common reason that thumbprint cookies may spread when baking is an incorrect ratio of butter to flour. Be sure to follow my tips above for properly measuring flour. Another reason for spreading could be placing cookie dough on a hot cookie sheet. Be sure to read and follow my tips above.
More Cookie Recipes
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Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup jam, I used raspberry jam and apricot jam
Rolling Cookies
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch and salt. Mix on low until a soft cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until the ingredients are combined.
- Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. You can use a cookie scoop or your hands for this.
- Roll each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar until it’s coated evenly.
- Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
- Spoon a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of jam into the indentation of each cookie. You can use your favorite flavor of jam or preserve.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet completely.
Made these cookies they are so buttery and we used pineapple, strawberry and blueberry preserves…delicious
Made these cookies with raspberry preserves, they are so yummy. They were gone in 1 sitting.
These were delicious! First time ever making a thumbprint cookie. I used a strawberry filling. My daughter thought I bought them! They came out perfect. These will definitely be put on a rotation. Thank you for sharing this recipe.