Jolly Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe: A Festive Sweet Treat

Soft, buttery cookies dance with festive cheer in this delightful christmas thumbprint cookies recipe that promises sweet memories.

Every baker loves a classic holiday treat that brings joy to the kitchen.

These delicate cookies melt in your mouth with a perfect blend of rich butter and sweet jam.

Crumbly and tender, they create a delicious centerpiece for your seasonal gatherings.

The simple technique of pressing your thumb into soft dough creates a charming well filled with vibrant, jewel-toned jam.

Generations have cherished this timeless recipe that connects us to cherished holiday traditions.

You’ll fall in love with these irresistible cookies that sparkle with festive warmth and homemade comfort.

Sweet Holiday Jams: Why They Stand Out

• Craft Holiday Magic: Whip up delightful jam-filled cookies that bring festive cheer to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe offers simple steps and basic ingredients that guarantee success even for those new to cookie making.
• Quick Family Bonding: Engage kids and relatives in creating these charming thumbprint cookies, turning baking into a fun, interactive experience that builds sweet memories.
• Versatile Treat Option: Adaptable for various occasions like holiday gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend desserts, these jam-filled cookies work for any celebration.

Ingredient List for Sweet Holiday Jams

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides tender texture and delicious flavor to the holiday cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, delicate cookie structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a light, airy texture.

• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookies their classic shape and texture.
• Jam: A sweet, fruity filling that adds color and burst of flavor to the center of the holiday cookies.

Making Sweet Holiday Jams

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 325 degrees Fahrenheit, getting ready for some sweet magic.

Step 2: Whip The Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder

Whip these ingredients until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks light and dreamy.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture

• One egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly until everything combines into a smooth, glossy texture.

Step 4: Welcome The Flour

Slowly incorporate flour into the wet mixture, using low mixer speed.

Stir gently to prevent overmixing, which can make cookies tough.

Step 5: Form Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into adorable one-inch spheres using your palms.

Arrange these little rounds on a baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each cookie.

Step 6: Create Jam Homes

Using your thumb or a small spoon, press a gentle indentation into the center of each cookie ball.

This will become the cozy nest for your fruity jam.

Step 7: Fill With Sweet Nectar

Carefully spoon your favorite jam into each cookie’s center.

Choose vibrant flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even golden-brown deliciousness.

Tips for the Best Holiday Jams

• Use softened butter at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing and better cookie texture.
• Choose thick, high-quality jam to prevent spreading during baking and maintain clean, neat wells.
• Gently press thumb or back of a small spoon into cookie dough to create uniform, shallow wells without cracking edges.
• Stop mixing flour as soon as ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to maintain structural integrity.

Recipe Ideas for Holiday Jams

• Gluten-Free Jammy Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same sweet, buttery texture.
• Vegan Holiday Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, use egg replacement like flax egg, and choose plant-based jam for a completely dairy-free and egg-free cookie.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and select low-sugar fruit preserves to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic cookie flavor.
• Nutty Jam Cookies: Incorporate finely chopped almonds or pecans into the dough for added crunch and rich, nutty undertones that complement fruity jam centers.

How to Serve Sweet Holiday Jams

Festive Gathering Delights: Perfect ways to serve and enjoy these sweet holiday jam cookies

• Cookie Platter Presentation: Arrange cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, creating an elegant holiday dessert display.
• Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside warm chai tea or rich hot chocolate to complement the sweet jam centers and enhance the festive mood.
• Gift Packaging: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, making charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday hosts.
• Dessert Table Star: Place cookies as a centerpiece on your holiday dessert spread, allowing guests to enjoy these delightful bite-sized treats with different jam flavors.

Best Storage for Holiday Jams

• Store jam-filled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delightful texture.
• Carefully layer cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay delicious for up to 3 months without losing their scrumptious flavor.
• Allow chilled cookies to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore their soft, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Place wax paper between cookie layers to prevent sticking and preserve their beautiful jam-filled centers during storage.

FAQs

• What type of jam works best for these cookies?

Berry jams like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot are ideal because they provide a vibrant, sweet flavor that complements the buttery cookie base.

• How do I prevent jam from spreading during baking?

Create a deep, well-defined indentation in each cookie before adding jam, and use only a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) to prevent overflow and maintain the cookie’s shape.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, or freeze the unbaked cookie balls for up to 3 weeks.

• Why is it important to avoid overmixing the flour?

Overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough, dense cookies instead of tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats.

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Christmas thumbprint cookies blend festive charm with buttery sweetness, offering a perfect holiday treat for family gatherings. Sprinkled with colorful sugar and filled with rich raspberry jam, these classic cookies will become your seasonal signature dessert.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup jam (strawberry, raspberry, or preferred flavor)

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for even baking.
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and baking powder using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth, uniform batter.
4. Slowly fold in flour at low speed, gently combining ingredients to maintain a tender cookie texture.
5. Form dough into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter.
6. Arrange cookie balls on a prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow proper spreading.
7. Delicately press a small indentation into the center of each cookie using your thumb or a specialized cookie tool.
8. Carefully fill each indentation with a precise dollop of jam, ensuring even distribution.
9. Transfer baking sheet to preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, rotating midway to promote consistent golden coloration.
10. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

• Prevent Spreading Keep butter at cool room temperature to maintain cookie structure and avoid excessive spreading during baking.
• Jam Selection Choose thick, high-quality fruit preserves with low water content to prevent leaking and maintain clean cookie appearance.
• Customize Texture Experiment with different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to create unique taste profiles and personalize the holiday treats.
• Storage Technique Allow cookies to cool completely before storing in airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain crisp texture and prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 103 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg