Description
Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, tender cookies filled with your favorite fruit jam or preserves. This classic American dessert features a soft dough with a sweet jam center, perfect for holidays or any occasion that calls for a delightful homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract thoroughly, ensuring a smooth, well-incorporated dough base.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms without overworking it to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow space for baking expansion.
- Create Indentations: Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball, forming a well to hold the jam filling.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon approximately ½ teaspoon of your chosen fruit jam or preserves into each indentation, being careful not to overfill to avoid spilling during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are done but still soft inside.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
- Optional Dusting: Once cooled, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar if desired for an elegant finish and extra sweetness.
Notes
- You can use different jams such as raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or mixed berry to create a colorful assortment of cookies.
- If the dough cracks when pressing your thumb to make the indentation, gently pinch it back together to maintain the shape.
- For extra texture and flavor, roll the dough balls in finely chopped nuts before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
