Description
Sweet cherry goodness nestles perfectly in buttery thumbprint cookies, creating a delightful treat that melts in your mouth. Rich with homemade raspberry jam and crumbly shortbread texture, these cookies invite you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 maraschino cherries, halved
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale confection with a light texture.
- Introduce vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic essence evenly throughout the mixture.
- Gradually integrate flour and salt into the butter blend, gently folding until a cohesive, smooth dough emerges.
- Craft uniform dough spheres, carefully positioning them across the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
- Delicately create wells in each cookie’s center using your thumb or the curved edge of a measuring spoon.
- Lovingly fill each indentation with a vibrant dollop of cherry preserve, nestling a halved cherry at the center for visual appeal.
- Transfer the cookie-laden sheet into the preheated oven, allowing them to transform for 12-15 minutes until edges acquire a golden, delicate hue.
- Remove from oven and permit cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
- Once entirely cooled, the thumbprint cookies are ready to delight and tantalize taste buds with their sweet, buttery charm.
Notes
- Swap part of the flour with almond or coconut flour for a nuttier, gluten-free twist that adds richness and unique flavor.
- Keep butter slightly soft but not melty to ensure perfect cookie consistency and prevent spreading during baking.
- Try different fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or mixed berry to create exciting flavor variations and colorful presentations.
- Store cookies between parchment layers in an airtight container to maintain their delicate crumbly texture and prevent sticking for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg