These colorful thumbprint cookies are a classic holiday treat to share! The crisp, buttery texture is perfect for adding your favorite flavor of jam.
Recipe Science
- The fat from the butter will give a light and crisp texture without adding baking soda or powder.
- Eggs enhance the buttery flavor with fat, while the whites bind ingredients and trap air during mixing for natural leavening.
- Fill the indent so it’s a little higher than the rim. The jam loses moisture and shrinks slightly as the cookies bake.
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Featured Comment 12
“Made these cookies as written – they were lovely! Baking the cookies with the filling (instead of filling the ‘thumbprint’ after the cookie bakes) ensures that the filling sets and does not leak or spread. Wonderful 5-star recipe!”—Hayley l.
Why It Works
When thinking about what sweet treat to share for this year’s cookie exchange or holiday party, this thumbprint cookie recipe is a classic option! They are straightforward to make. It’s similar to a shortbread cookie, just a combination of butter, sugar, flour, and egg. That’s it!
Once you make the cookie dough base, you can have fun customizing the flavors, like making a peanut butter and jelly version. I’m a fan of using a variety of colorful jams like strawberry, apricot, raspberry, or orange marmalade to fill the tiny pockets. The surface of the fruit filling slightly caramelizes during baking and provides a nice chewy texture with each bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Butter: It’s vital to soften the butter to just below room temperature, between 65 to 67ºF (18 to 20ºC). This process is essential for the structure of the cookies. The butter should be malleable enough to whip together with the sugar and firm enough to form air pockets.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds a clean sweetness and crisp texture to the cookie.
- Egg: It’s best to use room-temperature eggs so that the whites and yolks can be incorporated quickly into the batter. Cold eggs will make the butter very clumpy.
- Flavoring: Adding in a teaspoon of vanilla extract boosts the baked aroma and sweet flavor. Salt enhances the flavor of the bland all-purpose flour.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour because it has a moderate level of protein, 10 to 13%. This amount will help with gluten-formation in the dough while providing flexibility.
- Jam: I use jam because it’s mixed with small chunks of fruit. Strawberry, apricot, guava, or raspberry jam are popular choices, or you can use a variety for a colorful presentation.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
This thumbprint cookie recipe is easy to customize! Try these delicious options:
- Flavoring: Try almond extract, peppermint, anise, lemon, orange, or rose.
- Add a Sweet Coating: Roll the dough in granulated sugar, colored sanding sugar, round nonpareils, or jimmies for a more festive look. Drizzle some sugar cookie icing on top! Sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Add Nuts: Finely chop nuts like pecans, walnuts, peanuts, or almonds, and roll the dough balls in them.
- Filling Options: Add different fillings, such as homemade Nutella, chocolate ganache, lemon curd, unique jams like fig and guava, or apple butter.
How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Position the oven rack in the center to ensure even heat distribution, then preheat to 350ºF (177ºC). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Make the Dough
I use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for quick preparation. Cream the softened butter to aerate the mixture, creating a tender cookie texture. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and salt.
When incorporating the flour, add it in three additions so it has time to hydrate. Dumping it all in will require a longer mixing time, making the texture tough. You want the texture to be light and crisp.
Tips for Perfect Execution: The dough should have a clay-like texture and be soft enough to roll and shape into a ball.
Step 3: Portion the Dough
The great thing about this thumbprint cookie recipe is you don’t have to chill the dough. Measure out 1 tablespoon-sized balls and roll them between your palms. Place them on the parchment paper lined sheet pans, 2-inches apart.
Step 4: Indent the Cookies
You have a few options to press an indent in the center of the cookie. The easiest method, which the cookie is named after, is to press your thumb straight into the dough. This indentation and fill technique creates a little pocket for the jam. I make sure the well is even all around.
Other options are to use the bottom of a 1/4-inch round teaspoon or the bottom of a wooden spoon. The goal is to get about ½ teaspoon of jam in the center. Too little, and it will dry and taste chewy. So don’t be shy. Make a larger indent as needed.
Pro Tip: The cookie should spread to about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. If needed, gently press the surface to flatten it out slightly.
Step 5: Fill the Indents
Transfer the jam to a piping bag and add about ½ teaspoon to the indent. This amount creates an area underneath the surface that’s still soft and jammy. If you find the jam hard to pipe, strain it before using it to remove big chunks.
Preserves will be chunkier, so use a spoon to add to the indent. If you like seeds, go ahead and leave them in the jam, it will give a nice texture contrast.
Quick Substitution: Jelly is also a good option for a smooth texture. To make it easier to pipe, microwave the jam, jelly, or preserves until warm.
Step 6: Bake
Bake the cookies until set, about 12 to 14 minutes. The cookie will be ivory in color because there is no baking soda accelerating the browning process. The moisture released from the jam also causes the surface to be paler in color. The edges and bottoms will get lightly browned since they come into direct contact with the hot baking sheet.
Step 7: Let Them Cool
Let the cookies sit on the warm pan for 5 minutes for a crispier texture. Although eating them immediately is tempting, they taste better when cooled completely on a wire rack. The cooling duration gives the butter and sugar time to meld together and solidify, giving a more pronounced buttery, sweet taste and snappy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before baking! Adding the jam after baking will make the cookies very wet and cause the center to get soggy. Baking the jam sets the filling in the cookie.
Molded cookies, like thumbprints, are meant to have a delicate, brittle texture that holds their shape after baking. Don’t overwhip the butter during the creaming process. Otherwise, you will make too many air pockets that will deflate and cause spreading. Also, if the butter is too warm when creamed with sugar, the fat crystals are less rigid, so they don’t hold the air and, therefore, their shape during baking. If this happens, briefly chill the dough before baking the next batch. Alternatively, you may not have used enough flour. The most accurate way to measure flour is with a scale.
The dough should be soft, like modeling clay. If you’ve refrigerated it, let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before indenting. This technique will help prevent the cookie from cracking. If needed, smooth the surface with your fingertips.
Yes! Place the cookies in a single layer between parchment paper in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before eating. The raw dough can be shaped, indented, then frozen for up to 3 months, and defrosted at room temperature before baking.
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If you tried these Thumprint Cookies, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened to 65 to 67ºF (18 to 20ºC)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup jam, strawberry, apricot, apricot, or orange marmalade
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven – Set the oven rack to the center position and heat to 350ºF (177ºC). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make the Dough – In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-low speed (setting 4) until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the egg, vanilla, and salt. Mix on medium speed (setting 5), scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through, 1 minute.Gradually add the flour in three additions, mixing on low speed (stir) until just blended; do not overmix. The dough should be firm and not feel too sticky.
- Portion the Dough – Roll the dough into 1 tablespoon (22g) balls. Transfer the cookies to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Leave 2" of space in between.
- Indent the Cookies – Use your thumb, a measuring spoon, or the end of a wooden spoon to make an indent in the center of each cookie. They should flatten to about 1 ½" in diameter. Gently flatten the top if needed.
- Fill the Indents – Stir the jam, then add it to a small resealable plastic bag or piping bag. If using thicker preserves, use a small measuring spoon to scoop it into the cookie. Cut the tip off the bag, then pipe a small amount of jam to fill the indent in each cookie, about ½-teaspoon.
- Bake – Bake one tray at a time until cookies lightly brown around the edges, and on the bottoms. The surface will stay pale in color, 12 to 14 minutes.
- Let Them Cool – Leave the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Make-ahead: The dough can be made, rolled, indented, and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Place on prepared baking sheets and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Freezing: Baked cookies can be placed between parchment paper and stored in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. The shaped dough can be frozen for 3 months and defrosted before baking.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Recipe Resources
Bianca says
These thumbprint cookies turned out wonderful!! Thank you for sharing
Jessica Gavin says
You’re welcome Bianca!
Clucksbee says
Followed this recipe to a T! They were so soft and tender but not dry or crumbly. Really enjoyed these and have made them a few times since!
Jessica Gavin says
So happy that you are enjoying the thumbprint cookies! What kind of jam did you add?
Alison says
These were amazing. Thank you for the recipe!
Jessica Gavin says
You’re welcome!
hayley l. says
Made these cookies as written – they were lovely! Baking the cookies with the filling (instead of filling the ‘thumbprint’ after the cookie bakes) ensures that the filling sets and does not leak or spread. I filled my cookies with a blueberry cherry compote, and I think next time around I will try adding a bit of almond extract to the cookie dough, and using a rhubarb compote for the filling. Wonderful 5-star recipe, Jessica! 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you so much! The compotes you are adding sound lovely for the thumbprint cookies. Let me know how the cookies taste with almond!
Don Prime says
This recipe looks very sensible. I have looked at thumbprint recipes for 8 hours and created a spreadsheet to compare them. But the ingredient proportions are all over the place. This one seems to match how I used to do mine. I agree that the filling should go in the cookie before baking as I like the slight chewiness of the set jam after baking, plus they are easier to store. Do you think the texture will be modified much if I cut the sugar down to 1/2 cup?
Jessica Gavin says
You might see some difference in crispness if you reduce the amount of sugar. I would love to hear how your testing of the thumbprint cookies go!
Judy says
Hi Jessica. Merry Christmas. My Grandma use to make these and I’m thankful you posted this recipe. She baked a lot but I never was with her when she did due to distance. She’d bake before we arrived. I’m have found several of her cookie recipes here. ?
Jessica Gavin says
Merry Christmas, Judy! Thank you so much for the lovely holiday card. You always know how to make me smile, so thankful for you! Happy baking!