Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (2024)

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Quick Summary

Thumbprint Cookies-buttery shortbread cookies rolled in sugar and filled with sweet raspberry jam! These beautiful little cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but can be enjoyed anytime of the year.

Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (1)

I love creating new cookie recipes, but I also love the classics. One of our favorite cookies to make at Christmas time are Thumbprint Cookies. They are a holiday favorite and a great addition to any cookie platter.

So what are Thumbprint Cookies? If you haven’t had a jam thumbprint, you are in for a real treat! They are buttery, tender shortbread cookies with a sweet jam center. I like to use raspberry jam because it is sweet, tart, and I love the deep red color. But you can fill the thumbprints with your favorite jam!

They cookies are simple, but elegant and super delicious. You can’t go wrong with a classic!

Table of Contents

  1. Cookie Ingredients
  2. How to Make Thumbprint Cookies
  3. How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
  4. How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies
  5. Thumbprint Cookie FAQ
  6. More Christmas Cookie Recipes
  7. Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (2)

Cookie Ingredients

Simple ingredients come together to make the most amazing cookies!

  • Flour– use all-purpose flour!
  • Salt– to bring flavor to the cookies.
  • Butter– Use unsalted butter and make sure it isn’t too soft or melted. You want the butter at cool room temperature.
  • Sugar– you will need granulated sugar for the cookie dough and for rolling the cookies before baking.
  • Brown sugar– I like to use a little brown sugar for flavor and to keep the cookies tender and not dry.
  • Egg yolk– an egg yolk creates a rich cookie and holds everything together.
  • Vanilla extract– a must! If you like almond extract, you can add ¼ teaspoon to the dough.
  • Jam– I prefer raspberry jam, but any flavor will do! Make sure you use a nice, thick jam! Splurge to get a good quality jam since it’s a big part of the cookie! If your jam is SUPER thick, you can put it in a bowl and give it a good stir. If it is still too thick, heat it in the microwave for just a few seconds to loosen it up.
Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (3)

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies

These little gems are easy to make and SO pretty!

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
  • Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the butter and sugars together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
  • Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Don’t over mix the dough!
  • Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.
  • Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat, you may need 2 sheets.
  • Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven so it is hot and ready to go!
  • Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon or teaspoon to fill the centers with jam. Don’t over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!
  • Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.
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How to Store Thumbprint Cookies

Store the cooled thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature on the counter. You don’t have to refrigerate the cookies. I don’t recommend stacking the cookies because of the jam.

These cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies

If you want to freeze cookies, I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before adding jam.

Make the cookie dough and form them into thumbprints. Place the cookies on a tray and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes to an hour. Once frozen, transfer the the unbaked cookies to a freezer container or freezer bag and freeze for up to one month.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven and arrange the cookies on the baking sheets. Fill with jam and bake. It’s ok if the cookies are still a little frozen when going into the oven, you might have to add an additional minute to the baking time.

Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (5)

Thumbprint Cookie FAQ

What kind of jam do you use for Thumbprint Cookies?

Make sure you use a thick jam and not a runny jam. I prefer raspberry jam, but strawberry, blackberry, apricot, or mixed berry are all good options. Use your favorite flavor.

Can you fill Thumbprint Cookies with something besides jam?

Yes! If you don’t care for jam, fill the cookies with melted chocolate, lemon curd, salted caramel sauce, marmalade, or Nutella.

Do you fill Thumbprint Cookies before or after baking?

Fill the cookies with jam before baking so it can set up in the oven.

Why do my Thumbprint Cookies crack?

Make sure when you are pressing the back of the teaspoon or your thumb into the center of the cookie dough you don’t press too hard. Gently press! If the edges of the cookie start to crack a little, you can gently press it back together.

Why do my Thumbprint Cookies spread?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft when making the dough. It should be at cool room temperature and not super soft or greasy. Also, don’t make your cookies too big, thumbprints are smaller cookies. And most importantly, make sure you you chill the dough! After you form the cookies, place the unbaked cookies in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will prevent them from spreading.

Can you freeze Thumbprint Cookies with jam?

Yes! I recommend freezing the unbaked cookies before you fill them with jam. See above for my tips!

Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (6)

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

  • Easy Sugar Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms
  • Andes Mint Cookies
  • Snickerdoodles
  • Chocolate Kiss Cookies
  • Mexican Wedding Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (7)

Cookies

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Jam Thumbprint Cookies-buttery shortbread cookies rolled in sugar and filled with sweet jam! These beautiful little cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but can be enjoyed anytime of the year.

4.48 from 312 votes

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Review

Prep Time 50 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Cuisine American

Servings 38 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed. Add ½ cup of the granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

  • Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined.

  • Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ teaspoons per cookie. Place the remaining ½ cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll the balls in the sugar until well coated.

  • Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat, you may need 2 sheets.

  • Use the rounded back of a teaspoon or your thumb to gently press an indentation in the center each cookie dough ball. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Fill a small zipper-lock bag with the jam. Use scissors to snip a small corner off the bag. Carefully fill each indentation with about a ½ teaspoon of jam. Don't over fill or the jam will ooze out in the oven. Less is best!

  • Make sure the cookies are 2-inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown.

  • Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 33mg, Potassium: 15mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 156IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Keywords cookies

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Thumbprint Cookies {BEST Recipe!} - Two Peas & Their Pod (2024)

FAQs

Why do my thumbprint cookies crack? ›

One of the biggest questions that people ask after making thumbprint cookies is, “Why did my cookies crack?” Cracking usually happens when making the indentations in the dough balls. There are a few things you can do to help avoid this: Make sure you haven't added too much flour to the dough.

Why are my thumbprint cookies falling apart? ›

The dough should be chilled for at least 30 minutes, so that you can shape it into balls and indent without falling apart. Check that your oven temperature isn't too high.

How do you keep thumbprint cookies from spreading? ›

Storing your dough in the fridge helps to harden the fat and prevent your cookies from spreading. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Does thumbprint cookie dough need to be refrigerated? ›

Sometimes I will make a batch and fill a few with blueberry jam, a few with raspberry jam, and a few with apricot jam. The color variation is beautiful and the different fruit flavors make it hard to just have one cookie! TIP: This is a dough that you don't have to refrigerate before forming the cookies.

Should you refrigerate thumbprint cookies? ›

No. After baking, thumbprint cookies do not need to be refrigerated. To store them, simply save in an airtight container at room temperature. You can store them in the refrigerator if you prefer, but it's not necessary.

What is another name for thumbprint cookies? ›

Hallongrotta (plural: hallongrottor) is the name of a common Swedish cookie. The name means raspberry cave in Swedish. In the United States they are known as thumbprint cookies, as well as by many other names. Similar cookies sold in Australia are known as jam drops.

Do thumbprint cookies mail well? ›

Do Thumbprint Cookies ship well? Yes. Firm and sturdy cookies are the best type of cookies to ship, so our Thumbprint Cookies handle the trip well.

What is the shelf life of thumbprint cookies? ›

Chocolate cherry thumbprint cookies will last for 3-5 days at room temperature. You can extend their shelf life to about a week if you keep them in the fridge.

Can I bake cookies directly on baking tray? ›

In a pinch, baking directly on an ungreased baking sheet will work fine; the cookies have enough fat in them to prevent severe sticking — although you might need a thin metal spatula to pop some of them off.

What do you grease a cookie sheet with? ›

Cookie sheets can be greased with a non-stick cooking spray, butter and flour or lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. If your pan has a non-stick coating, you may not need to grease it at all.

How do you add moisture to cookies? ›

Add Molasses or Honey Another way to add more moisture to your cookies is incorporate a tablespoon of molasses into a standard-sized cookie recipe. Don't use any more than a tablespoon, because it will make your cookies very sweet and runny. One tablespoon is just enough.

What temperature do you bake cookies? ›

Bake at 375 degrees F until golden and tender, 12 to 15 minutes. For crispy-cakey cookies: Bake the cookies at 425 degrees F until golden and crunchy on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. For chewy cookies: Use 1 cup light brown sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup and omit the granulated sugar.

Can I freeze dough for thumbprint cookies? ›

Absolutely! Thumbprint cookies will either have their indentions made before or after baking. If that occurs before baking, you can do that before they're frozen so that they're ready to go when you're ready to bake them.

What is the secret to thick cookies? ›

A low proportion of sugar relative to flour reduces spread, keeping the cookies thick. A high proportion of mix-ins helps thicken the dough. Blending chocolate chip styles creates a more dynamic flavor. Overnight refrigeration hydrates the flour, again helping the cookies stay thick.

What is the correct order when making cookies? ›

Most cookies are made with the creaming method. Whip together the fat and sugar until fluffy and pale yellow. Then add the eggs and flavorings and then alternatively mix in the flour and liquids, stopping to scrape down the bowl occasionally. Chill and bake.

Does order matter when making cookies? ›

The Chemistry Behind Baking Cookies

Just like in the laboratory, even the seemingly smallest changes can affect the outcome — oven temperature variations, moisture and even the order in which you add the ingredients are just a few of the factors that can affect texture and taste.

Does the order of ingredients matter when baking cookies? ›

Incorporating ingredients into the dough in the wrong order can entirely throw off your cookies. It's not just enough to mix the dough for the correct amount of time — the order that you incorporate ingredients into the dough matters.

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