Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Crafting delightful raspberry thumbprint cookies brings pure joy to your baking adventure.

Sweet memories dance through kitchen spaces while mixing ingredients.

Soft, buttery dough becomes a canvas for vibrant raspberry jam.

Delicate indentations create perfect pockets of fruity goodness.

Clusters of golden-edged cookies promise delectable moments of pure happiness.

These classic treats connect generations through simple, heartwarming baking.

You’ll want to savor every crumbly, sweet bite of these irresistible cookies.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies – Fruity Jam Centered Goodness

  • Bake with Ease: Discover a foolproof cookie recipe that requires minimal baking skills, perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
  • Create Memorable Treats: Craft delightful raspberry thumbprint cookies that bring joy to family gatherings, afternoon tea, or sweet snack moments.
  • Customize Your Delight: Swap raspberry jam with other fruit preserves like strawberry or apricot to match your taste preferences and make the recipe uniquely yours.
  • Quick and Satisfying: Prepare these cookies in simple steps, with most of the time spent chilling the dough, making it a convenient recipe for busy home bakers.

Ingredients List for Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that provides a smooth texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm and aromatic profile.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure of the cookie that provides a soft and delicate base.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
  • Raspberry Jam, Confectioners' Sugar, Water: Create a sweet and tangy filling and glaze that completes the thumbprint cookies with a beautiful finish.

Baking Steps for Soft Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes airy and silky smooth.

Use an electric mixer to achieve a fluffy consistency that looks light and creamy.

Step 2: Incorporate Egg

Crack the egg into the butter mixture and beat thoroughly until completely blended and uniform in texture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Components

Grab a separate bowl and gently whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.

Step 4: Refrigerate Dough

Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator for one hour.

Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape and enhances flavor development.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Heat the oven to 350F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and clean-up.

Step 6: Prepare Rolling Station

Pour remaining sugar into a shallow dish for coating cookie dough.

Step 7: Shape Cookies

Remove chilled dough and roll into small balls.

Gently roll each ball in sugar, then arrange on baking sheets with space between them.

Step 8: Create Cookie Centers

Press your thumb or the handle of a wooden spoon into each cookie ball, creating a small well for filling.

Step 9: Bake Cookies

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake until cookie edges turn golden brown, approximately 13-16 minutes.

Step 10: Add Raspberry Filling

Warm raspberry jam in a small bowl.

Carefully spoon the melted jam into the center of each slightly cooled cookie.

Step 11: Drizzle Icing

Prepare a quick glaze by mixing:
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Water

Stir until smooth, then delicately drizzle over the cooled cookies for a beautiful finishing touch.

Tips for Neat Thumbprints and Jam Filling

  • Refrigerate dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and ensure thick, sturdy cookies.
  • Warm jam slightly before filling to create smooth, easy-to-spread consistency without burning your fingers.
  • Ensure butter is softened but not melted, and eggs are at room temperature for optimal cookie texture.
  • Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to make consistently sized balls, guaranteeing even baking.
  • Make indentations gently to avoid cracking, and don't overfill with jam to keep cookies neat and tidy.
  • Almond Butter Thumbprints: Replace butter with almond butter for a nutty flavor and swap raspberry jam with apricot preserves.
  • Gluten-Free Edition: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy these cookies.
  • Vegan Raspberry Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg replacement, and select dairy-free powdered sugar for the icing.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Replace granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free raspberry jam to reduce overall sugar content.

Arranging Thumbprint Cookies for Tea or Dessert

  • Sweet Breakfast Partner: Pair these delightful thumbprint cookies with a warm cup of vanilla latte or freshly brewed coffee for a morning treat that brightens your day.
  • Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside other mini desserts like chocolate truffles and mini fruit tarts for an elegant after-dinner spread.
  • Tea Time Companion: Serve these raspberry gems during afternoon tea, complementing them with light, delicate tea blends like Earl Grey or chamomile for a classic experience.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon, creating a homemade gift that looks professional and tastes absolutely delicious.

Storage for Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them cool and away from direct sunlight.
  • Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months without jam or icing.
  • Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Add fresh jam and icing after thawing to maintain crispness.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 300F for 3-4 minutes to restore slight crispness. Avoid microwave to prevent softening texture.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

  • Can I use different types of jam?

Yes, you can substitute raspberry jam with strawberry, apricot, or any other flavor you prefer.

  • How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for lightly browned edges and a set appearance. They should be slightly firm but not dark.

  • What if my dough is too soft to roll?

If the dough is too soft, return it to the refrigerator for an additional 15-30 minutes to firm up before rolling.

Print
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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet raspberry thumbprint cookies bring European bakery charm to home kitchens, offering delicate buttery shortbread with jewel-like raspberry jam centers. Crisp edges and tender crumb promise delightful moments of pure comfort you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing and Finishing:

  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons water

Instructions

  1. In a spacious mixing bowl, transform softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract into a cloud-like, airy mixture by vigorously beating for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Incorporate the egg, blending thoroughly until seamlessly integrated with the butter mixture.
  3. Separately whisk flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold these dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
  4. Refrigerate the dough for one hour to enhance flavor and texture, allowing ingredients to meld together.
  5. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
  6. Pour remaining sugar into a shallow dish for coating the cookie dough.
  7. Craft chilled dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, generously rolling each ball through the sugar and positioning them 2 inches apart on prepared sheets.
  8. Create a gentle indentation in each cookie’s center using your thumb or a wooden spoon handle, forming a perfect pocket for jam.
  9. Bake 13-16 minutes until edges transform into a delicate golden brown, allowing cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet after removing from oven.
  10. Gently warm raspberry jam, then carefully spoon the vibrant filling into each cookie’s carefully crafted center.
  11. Whisk confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and water into a silky smooth icing, elegantly drizzling over completely cooled cookies.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more structured cookie with a better texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent cookie results.
  • For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, which adds nutty flavor and maintains cookie structure.
  • Try different jam flavors like apricot, strawberry, or mixed berry to customize the thumbprint cookies to personal taste preferences.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 112 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 44 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g
  • Protein: 1.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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