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Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies blend creamy butter with sweet jam for the ultimate holiday treat. I love how they add color and joy to any dessert table while filling the kitchen with that classic scent that always means Christmas is near. Whether baking a batch for a cookie exchange or just as a cozy family activity, these cookies will make memories as much as they make smiles.
If you want to bake only one cookie for Christmas this should be the one. Every year my family crowds around the baking sheet fighting for the raspberry filled ones and decorating extras with icing just for fun. They never last long in my house.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: because it creates a soft rich dough. Make sure it is fully softened for the best mixing result
- Granulated sugar: gives structure and gentle sweetness. Use a fine grain for best creaming
- Egg yolk: adds tenderness and deepens flavor. Opt for a large fresh yolk
- Pure vanilla extract: for warmth and aroma. Look for real vanilla not imitation
- All purpose flour: creates the classic crumbly yet soft cookie. Sift if your flour is lumpy
- Salt: brings out flavor. Use a fine kosher or sea salt for blending
- Fruit jam or preserves: adds color and sweet tartness. Choose thick jams with whole fruit
- Powdered sugar and cream: for the glaze if desired. Also smooths over cookies for a decorative finish
- Almond or vanilla extract: in the glaze adds a touch of festive lift. Fresh extract makes a big difference
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl blend butter and sugar with your electric mixer using medium speed for up to three minutes until the mixture looks pale and airy. Add in egg yolk and vanilla and keep mixing to fully combine. Slowly add the flour and salt and mix on low until the dough just comes together and feels soft. Avoid overmixing so cookies stay tender
- Chill the Dough:
- Wrap the dough snugly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least thirty minutes. Letting the dough rest keeps the shapes nice and stops the cookies from spreading on the pan
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your oven to three fifty degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking and encourage even browning
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop out a rounded tablespoon of dough and roll between your palms to make small balls. Space them across the baking sheet with two inches between so they bake evenly. Gently push your thumb or the back of a half teaspoon into the center to form a small well in each ball
- Fill with Jam:
- Spoon about a half teaspoon of thick fruit jam into each indentation. Fill only to the rim of each well so the filling does not spill out when baking
- Bake:
- Place the sheet in the oven and bake for up to fourteen minutes. Watch for cookie edges to turn just golden while the tops remain light. Cool the baked cookies on the pan for five minutes then move to a rack to cool the rest of the way
- Optional Glaze:
- If you like extra sweetness or decoration whisk together powdered sugar milk and a splash of extract to make a pourable glaze. After the cookies are fully cool drizzle it on using a spoon or piping for a holiday look
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My favorite part of this recipe is spooning in tart raspberry jam which always reminds me of my grandmother. One Christmas she let me swirl two jams together which made my cookies disappear faster than any others on the platter. Now my kids love adding their own jam flavors to personalize each batch.
Cookie Storage
Keep these thumbprints in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to five days. If you want them to last longer freeze the baked cookies without glaze and thaw before serving. The texture stays soft even after freezing just keep glazing for last
Ingredient Substitutions
Allergy friendly swaps work well here. Try dairy free margarine for butter or use gluten free flour blends designed for baking. For fillings you can sub chocolate spread caramel or even a thick nut butter for a different twist
Serving Ideas
Pile them on a festive plate or platter for your dessert table. Wrap in clear bags as gifts or tuck them into holiday cookie tins. For grown up gatherings pair with coffee or mulled wine. Kids love pressing colored sprinkles into the jam before baking for extra color
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Cookie Traditions
Thumbprint cookies go way back in European baking often called Hallongrotta in Sweden. Each region uses a different filling from fruit preserves to chocolate or nuts but the classic jam version is the most beloved at American Christmas celebrations
Commonly Asked Questions
- → What jam works best for thumbprint cookies?
Thick jams like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot hold their shape well and give a vibrant, fruity flavor. Avoid very watery preserves for best results.
- → Can I use other fillings besides jam?
Absolutely! Soft caramel, chocolate ganache, or sweet icing can all be used to fill the cookies, offering different flavors and textures.
- → Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking for a perfect soft texture.
- → How do I store thumbprint cookies?
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze without glaze for up to 3 months.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for even longer. Shape and bake directly from the fridge for easy planning.