These Delicious Thumbprint Cookies are a timeless dessert that combines a tender, buttery cookie with a sweet, fruity jam filling. Perfect for home bakers looking to recreate a nostalgic treat, this recipe yields soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with just the right balance of sweetness and texture. Each cookie features a charming thumbprint indentation filled with your favorite jam, whether raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even a chocolate-hazelnut twist with Nutella. Easy to make with common pantry ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and cornstarch, these cookies are ideal for holiday baking, gifting, or everyday indulgence. Chilling the dough ensures perfectly shaped cookies that bake evenly and resist cracking. With a prep time of 30 minutes, chilling for 30 minutes, and just 11 minutes of baking, this recipe produces 24 perfectly portioned cookies that will delight kids and adults alike. Elevate your cookie game with this classic recipe that delivers buttery, jam-filled goodness in every bite.
Introduction
Thumbprint cookies are a classic dessert beloved for their soft, buttery texture and delightful jam center. This Delicious Thumbprint Cookies Recipe with Jam Filling Magic is a simple yet impressive way to bring this nostalgic treat to your kitchen. These cookies are perfect for gifting, holiday cookie swaps, or anytime you crave a sweet, fruity bite. The recipe yields 24 cookies with perfectly golden edges and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center, each topped with your favorite jam or preserves.
Chilling the dough ensures that your thumbprint cookies hold their shape and prevents cracks during baking. With straightforward steps and everyday ingredients, this recipe is approachable for both beginner and experienced bakers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavor: Buttery cookies paired with sweet, fruity jam.
- Perfect Texture: Soft centers with lightly crisp edges.
- Nostalgic & Fun: Thumbprint cookies bring back childhood memories.
- Customizable: Use any jam or even Nutella for a twist.
- Gift-Worthy: Beautiful, uniform cookies ideal for boxes or platters.
- Easy to Bake: Simple method with standard ingredients.
Ingredients
Yield: 24 cookies
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter for a dairy-free version)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free blends work too)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg yolk (or flax egg for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling
- 1 cup jam (your choice, or Nutella for a chocolate twist)
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup light brown sugar until fluffy and aerated.
Add Egg Yolk & Vanilla
- Incorporate 1 large egg yolk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and uniform.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk together 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until combined.
Shape the Cookies
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into smooth balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Create Thumbprints
- Press your thumb or back of a spoon into the center of each ball to create an indentation.
Chill the Dough
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the dough.
Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough chills.
Fill with Jam
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of jam into each indentation.
Bake
- Bake for 11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool before serving to maintain crisp edges.
Tips & Tricks
- Chill the dough: Prevents spreading and cracking during baking.
- Choose quality jam: Enhances flavor and texture.
- Perfect thumbprint: Use a slightly larger thumb indentation for more jam.
- Make vegan: Swap butter with plant-based alternative and egg yolk with flax egg.
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Flavor & Texture
These cookies are soft and tender, with lightly crisp edges and a buttery base. The jam center adds a sweet, fruity contrast that makes each bite irresistible. Nutty, chocolatey, or tart jams can personalize this classic recipe, creating a versatile dessert for all occasions.
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Potassium: 25 mg
- Sugar: 6 g
- Vitamin A: 200 IU
- Calcium: 10 mg
- Iron: 0.5 mg
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Airtight container: Keeps cookies fresh for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Dough can be frozen before baking for future batches.
- Reheating: Slightly warm in the oven for a fresh-baked feel.
Variations
- Chocolate Thumbprints: Replace jam with Nutella or chocolate ganache.
- Citrus Jam: Use orange or lemon preserves for a fresh twist.
- Nutty Delight: Sprinkle finely chopped nuts around the jam before baking.
- Mini Thumbprints: Make smaller cookies for bite-sized treats.
FAQs
- Why chill the dough?
Chilling prevents spreading and helps maintain the thumbprint shape. - Can I use other jams?
Absolutely! Raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or chocolate spreads work beautifully. - How long do they last?
Stored in an airtight container, they remain fresh for up to a week. - Can I make them vegan?
Yes! Use vegan butter and a flax egg in place of the egg yolk. - How do I prevent cracks?
Chilling dough and gently pressing the thumbprint prevents cracks.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm or at room temperature with tea, coffee, or milk.
- Perfect for holiday cookie platters, gifts, or afternoon snacks.
- Decorate with a dusting of powdered sugar for festive occasions.
Pro Baking Tips
- Use room-temperature butter for easier creaming.
- Roll dough balls evenly for uniform cookies.
- Avoid overfilling with jam to prevent spillage.
- Let cookies cool fully on a wire rack for crisp edges.
Cooking Timeline
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Dough | 30 min |
| Chill Dough | 30 min |
| Bake Cookies | 11 min |
| Total | 1 hr 11 min |
| Yield | 24 cookies |
Conclusion
These Delicious Thumbprint Cookies are a nostalgic, buttery treat with a sweet, jam-filled center. Perfect for family, gifting, or holiday baking, they combine simple ingredients with timeless flavors. Chilled dough, high-quality jam, and precise baking create cookies that are tender, flavorful, and picture-perfect. Make a batch and enjoy the magic of thumbprint cookies at home!
Print
Delicious Thumbprint Cookies Recipe with Jam Filling Magic – Buttery, Sweet, and Nostalgic
This Thumbprint Cookies Recipe combines a buttery texture with a jam filling that evokes delightful nostalgia.
- Total Time: 1 hour 11 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup jam of your choice
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Combine flour, cornstarch, and pinch of salt, then add to wet ingredients.
- Form tablespoon-sized dough balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Press thumb or spoon to create indentation in each ball.
- Chill dough in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill each indentation with ~1 teaspoon jam.
- Bake for 11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is chilled to prevent cracks during baking.
- Use high-quality jam for best flavor.
- Allow cookies to cool completely to keep edges crisp.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
