Sweet & Buttery Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Soft, buttery thumbprint cookies dance with sweet charm on holiday dessert tables.

These delightful thumbprint cookies recipe deliver pure comfort in every tender bite.

Crumbly and delicate, the cookies melt with rich, nutty warmth that beckons cookie lovers.

Sprinkled with colorful jam centers, they create a delightful treat that sparks childhood memories.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily craft these delectable morsels with simple ingredients.

Each cookie becomes a miniature canvas of sweet artistry, promising pure delight.

Prepare to transform your kitchen into a cozy haven of irresistible cookie magic.

What Makes Sweet Jam Cookies a Classic Favorite

• Craft Delightful Treats: Perfect for baking with kids, these cookies invite little hands to help roll dough, make wells, and fill with colorful jam.
• Customize Creative Flavors: Experiment with different jam varieties like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot to match personal taste preferences and create unique cookie experiences.
• Impress with Simplicity: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make these cookies an excellent choice for beginner bakers wanting to develop their skills without feeling overwhelmed.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations, these sweet jam cookies will disappear fast from any dessert table.

Sweet Jam Cookies – What’s Inside

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookie texture and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
• Flour: Forms the structural foundation of the cookie.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic baking aroma.
• Almond Extract: Contributes subtle, nutty background flavor.
• Salt: Balances and deepens overall taste profile.

• Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• Jam: Provides sweet, fruity center for the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Used for rolling cookies for extra sweetness and texture.
• Powdered Sugar Icing: Creates decorative and sweet finish on top of cookies.

How to Bake Sweet Jam Cookies at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ensure the oven rack is positioned in the center for even baking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip together powdered sugar and softened butter until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy.

Use an electric mixer for best results.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

• Egg yolk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Almond extract

Blend these ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

Step 4: Blend In Flour

Gradually mix in flour, stirring gently until the dough just comes together.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 5: Form Cookie Balls

Scoop out small portions of dough, creating round balls approximately one tablespoon in size.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon for consistency.

Step 6: Coat And Shape Cookies

Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, then gently smooth between your palms to create a uniform shape.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 8: Create Jam Wells

Using your finger or the back of a spoon handle, carefully press a small indentation into the center of each cookie.

Step 9: Fill With Fruity Goodness

Spoon your favorite jam into the wells, ensuring not to overfill.

Step 10: Settle The Jam

Gently tap the baking pan on the counter to help the jam settle evenly in the wells.

Step 11: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges turn light golden brown.

Step 12: Initial Cooling

Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Step 13: Complete Cooling

Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 14: Prepare Decorative Icing

Mix together the icing ingredients until smooth and drizzle-ready.

Step 15: Decorate With Flair

Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle the icing in a playful zigzag pattern across the cooled cookies.

Expert Tips for Sweet Jam Cookie Success

• Select high-quality, seedless fruit preserves for smooth, vibrant cookie centers.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to maintain cookie structure and prevent excessive spreading.
• Use the back of a small measuring spoon for uniform, neat jam indentations in cookie centers.
• Add jam sparingly to avoid overflow during baking, ensuring clean, attractive cookie appearance.
• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more consistent dough mixing.

Jam Cookie Recipes: Tasty Twists to Try

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cookie's delicate texture.
• Vegan Wonder: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of yolk, and choose plant-based jam for a completely dairy-free treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of powdered sugar, and select a sugar-free jam to reduce overall sugar content.
• Nutty Variation: Incorporate ground pecans or walnuts into the dough for added crunch and rich, earthy flavor that complements the sweet jam perfectly.

Fun Ways to Serve Sweet Jam Cookies

• Cookie Platter Perfection: Arrange cookies in a beautiful circular pattern on a white ceramic plate, alternating direction for visual appeal.
• Gifting Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, adding a small fresh lavender sprig for elegant presentation.
• Tea Time Companion: Serve alongside hot earl grey tea or chamomile, creating a delightful afternoon sweet treat that complements the almond and jam flavors.
• Dessert Pairing Magic: Enhance the experience by serving with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Storing Sweet Jam Cookies for Later

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve texture and flavor.
• If using homemade jam, ensure it's properly sealed and refrigerated to prevent spoilage and maintain cookie quality.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of jam?

Yes, you can use any flavor of jam like strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even marmalade to customize these cookies.

• How do I prevent the jam from burning?

Make sure to fill the wells with just a small amount of jam and avoid overfilling, which can cause burning during baking.

• Is almond extract necessary?

No, almond extract is optional. If you don’t like the flavor or don’t have it, you can simply omit it without affecting the cookie’s texture.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking, or freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 2 weeks.

Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful thumbprint cookies showcase a sweet symphony of buttery dough and luscious jam centers that dance with classic European charm. Crisp edges and tender middles invite cookie enthusiasts to savor each delectable bite, promising pure comfort in every delicious morsel.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup fruit jam

Sugar Components:

• 1/3 cup powdered sugar, unsifted
• 1/3 cup white sugar for rolling
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)

Flavor and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk (or water)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 325°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for even baking.
2. Cream powdered sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Introduce egg yolk, vanilla extract, salt, and almond extract to the butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
4. Gently fold in flour, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
5. Portion the dough into small, uniform balls using a tablespoon measure.
6. Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, then carefully smooth between palms to create a perfect sphere.
7. Arrange the sugared dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
8. Create a small indentation in the center of each cookie using either your fingertip or the handle of a wooden spoon.
9. Carefully fill each well with a generous dollop of jam, choosing your favorite flavor.
10. Gently tap the baking sheet on the counter to help the jam settle into the cookie’s center.
11. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, watching for a light golden color.
12. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set.
13. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
14. Prepare the icing by mixing the designated ingredients until smooth and drizzling consistency.
15. Artfully drizzle the icing across the cooled cookies in an elegant zigzag pattern.

Notes

• Achieve perfect texture by ensuring butter is softened at room temperature for smooth creaming.
• Try different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to customize cookie taste.
• Use a small measuring spoon or melon baller to create uniform, precise wells in cookie dough for consistent jam filling.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, keeping same measurement.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg