Classic Thumbprint Cookie Recipe: Easy Baking for Any Occasion

Thumbprint cookies, also known as jam thumbprint cookies, are a timeless treat that brings a touch of sweetness to any gathering. With their soft, buttery base and a delightful dollop of jam in the center, these cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this thumbprint cookie recipe is perfect for you. Let’s dive into creating these delightful cookies that are sure to become a family favorite.

The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the kitchen is a simple joy, and these thumbprint cookies are no exception. Imagine a cozy weekend afternoon, perhaps with a gentle snowfall outside, and the comforting warmth of your oven baking a batch of these classic cookies. That’s precisely the scene that inspired this recipe. Sharing homemade treats with loved ones is always special, and thumbprint cookies are ideal for such moments.

These cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a bite-sized piece of happiness. The combination of a tender sugar cookie base, a delicate roll in sparkling sugar, and a flavorful jam center creates a symphony of textures and tastes. They are perfect as a treat alongside a cup of tea or coffee, a delightful addition to a dessert platter, or a thoughtful homemade gift.

What makes these thumbprint cookies truly stand out is their simplicity and versatility. The dough comes together quickly with basic pantry ingredients, and the filling options are limited only by your imagination. From classic raspberry jam to apricot preserves or even a chocolate ganache, you can customize these cookies to suit any palate.

Thumbprint Cookie Dough Balls Ready to Be Indented

Using a Teaspoon to Make an Indentation in Thumbprint Cookies

Tips for Baking Perfect Thumbprint Cookies

To ensure your thumbprint cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Precise Measurement for Softness: Baking is a science, and accuracy matters, especially when it comes to cookies. Using a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients, particularly flour, can make a significant difference in the texture of your cookies. Over-measuring flour is a common mistake when using cups, leading to dry or tough cookies. A scale ensures consistent results, creating that melt-in-your-mouth softness thumbprint cookies are known for.
Smooth Dough for Crack-Free Thumbprints: For thumbprint cookies that look as good as they taste, pay attention to the dough consistency. After mixing, the dough should be firm enough to roll immediately without chilling. The secret to preventing cracks lies in rolling the dough balls until they are perfectly smooth. Eliminate any lines or seams by gently rolling them between your palms until they are seamless spheres. This smooth surface is less likely to crack when you create the thumbprint indentation.
Jamming Before Baking: While some recipes suggest adding the jam filling after baking, incorporating it beforehand is highly recommended for thumbprint cookies. This allows the jam to bake slightly, creating a cohesive texture with the cookie base. If your jam is too thick to spoon easily, a quick warm-up in the microwave for a few seconds will loosen it up. Just ensure it’s not hot, only more fluid for easy filling.
Cool Cookie Sheets Prevent Spreading: A common cause of cookie spreading is placing dough on a hot cookie sheet. Always ensure your baking sheets are completely cool before placing the next batch of thumbprint cookies for baking. A hot cookie sheet can cause the butter in the dough to melt too quickly, leading to flat, spread-out cookies. Rotating between multiple cookie sheets ensures each batch starts baking at the optimal temperature.

Thumbprint Cookies Being Filled with Raspberry Jam

In this recipe, raspberry preserves were used, and the slightly tart flavor beautifully complements the sweet cookie. However, the beauty of thumbprint cookies lies in their adaptability. Feel free to explore different jam and preserve flavors to find your personal favorite. Apricot and strawberry are popular choices, offering a classic sweetness.

For those who prefer a seedless option, seedless jams work perfectly well and provide a smooth texture. While the raspberry seeds add a subtle textural element, a seedless jam ensures a uniformly smooth filling. The choice is yours, and experimenting with different flavors is part of the fun of baking thumbprint cookies.

Adding the jam before baking is strongly encouraged, but life happens, and sometimes we forget steps. If you happen to bake your thumbprint cookies without the jam, don’t worry! You can still add it afterward. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently re-indent the centers using a rounded teaspoon and then fill with your chosen jam. The warmth of the cookies will slightly soften the jam, allowing it to settle nicely.

As the cookies cool, the jam will firm up, creating the perfect thumbprint cookie texture. Even with the jam, these cookies hold their shape well enough to be stacked on a platter for serving or gifting. Their delightful appearance and delicious taste make them a welcome treat for any occasion.

Freshly Baked Thumbprint Cookies Cooling on a Baking Sheet

Enjoy the process of baking these thumbprint cookies and the joy of sharing them. And don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings to discover your own signature thumbprint cookie variation!

If you love thumbprint cookies, be sure to explore other exciting variations like bourbon chocolate thumbprint cookies, peanut butter chocolate thumbprint cookies, or key lime thumbprint cookies!

Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A classic and simple recipe for making delicious thumbprint cookies at home.

4.94 from 1166 votes

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Course: Dessert, Cookies
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 1 minute
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Sam Merritt

Ingredients

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup (70g) granulated sugar
⅓ cup (70g) light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg yolk
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar, for rolling (optional)
⅓ cup (105g) jam or preserves, of your choice

Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be crumbly at first.
Shape Dough Balls: Scoop dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball until smooth and crack-free.
Roll in Sugar and Indent: If desired, roll dough balls in granulated sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to gently create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
Chill Dough: Transfer cookie sheet to the freezer and chill for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Jam: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Warm jam in a microwave-safe bowl for a few seconds until easily stirrable.
Fill Thumbprints: Spoon jam into the indentations of each cookie, filling to the brim.
Bake Cookies: Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool: Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.

Nutrition

Nutritional information is an estimate.

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