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Thumbprint Cookies

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close up shot of a plate of Thumbprint Cookies
This recipe is fun and easy to make. Mix up your dough, make the balls, give them an indent, and fill them with your desired filling.
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Table of Contents
  1. THUMBPRINT COOKIES INGREDIENTS
  2. HOW TO MAKE THIS THUMBPRINT COOKIES RECIPE
  3. STORAGE 
  4. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
  5. JUMP TO RECIPE

It’s so easy to make this Thumbprint Cookies recipe. These one of a kind cookies are made by indenting the cookie dough before baking, and filling it with your choice of topping. Whether you are filling them with jam, chocolate, or caramel they are sure to be chewy and delicious. 

close up shot of a bowl of Thumbprint Cookies stacked on top of each other

THUMBPRINT COOKIES INGREDIENTS

Thumbprint Cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need: 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup jam

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Jam: You can use any type of jam in your cookies. My favorite is raspberry, but you could try using grape, strawberry, peach, or apricot. You can use store-bought or homemade jam. 

Chocolate/Caramel: For a different flavor, try filling the indent with chocolate or caramel Hershey’s topping. If adding caramel, I recommend sprinkling a few with sea salt for a salted caramel cookie! 

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Icing: For a bit of extra sweetness, you can drizzle your cookies with icing when they are finished baking and cooling. 

HOW TO MAKE THIS THUMBPRINT COOKIES RECIPE

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

STEP TWO: LIne 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. 

STEP THREE: In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of ingredients in a bowl

STEP FOUR: In a large bowl beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together on high speed until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 minutes. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of ingredients in a measuring cup

STEP FIVE: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well mixed. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of egg and vanilla added to ingredients in a measuring cup

STEP SIX: Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat just until well mixed. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of ingredients combined in a measuring cup

STEP SEVEN: Drop rounded cookies, 1.5 tablespoon in size and 2 inches apart, onto the parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of balls of cookie dough placed on a baking sheet

STEP EIGHT:  Using the back of a teaspoon, dusted in flour to prevent sticking, press back the teaspoon about half way down into each cookie to create an indent for the jam. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of indent being created into each cookie

STEP NINE: Using a small spoon, fill each indent with jam of your choice. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of cookies being filled with jam

STEP TEN: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until the bottom edges look slightly browned. 

Thumbprint Cookies process shot of cookies after being baked on a baking sheet

STEP ELEVEN: Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before removing and placing them on a wire rack to cool completely. 

Need a couple more yummy cookie recipes? Apple Pie Cookies and Cherry Cheesecake Cookies are two additional recipes that also have a gooey filling. Both are super simple and make for a unique but delicious treat. 

STORAGE 

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers in the fridge or on the countertop at room temperature. Be sure to store them in a sealed food container for up to one week for maximum freshness. 

IN THE FREEZER: Like most cookies, thumbprint cookies freeze well. Make sure that they are completely cooled before placing them in the freezer in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. Before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature, so that the filling can thaw.

close up overhead shot of Thumbprint Cookies on a cooling rack

This recipe is fun and easy to make. Mix up your dough, make the balls, give them an indent, and fill them with your desired filling. Be sure to add these tasty cookies to your baking list this holiday season. 

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close up shot of a plate of Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

5 from 4 votes
This recipe is fun and easy to make. Mix up your dough, make the balls, give them an indent, and fill them with your desired filling.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup jam

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F.  
  • Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.  
  • In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 
  • In a large bowl beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together on high speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.  
  • Beat in egg and vanilla until well mixed.  
  • Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat just until well mixed.  
  • Drop rounded cookies, 1.5 tablespoon in size and 2 inches apart, onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.  
  • Using the back of a teaspoon, dusted in flour to prevent sticking, press back of teaspoon about half way down into each cookie to create an indent for the jam.  
  • Using a small spoon, fill each indent with jam of your choice.
  • Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until bottom edges look slightly browned.  
  • Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before removing and placing on wire racks to cool completely.  

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Gloria says

    5 stars
    These were always a favorite of my grandpa’s – this recipe makes me think of being a little girl in grandma’s kitchen again. Good memories.

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Doreen – we haven’t tried it without the brown sugar, so I’m not sure what impact it will have on the outcome. You could also make your own brown sugar by mixing in molasses to white sugar. Please let me know if you try it!

  2. Edward Lastrom says

    5 stars
    Absolutely fantastic. I also used fig preserves great taste. These would be good without any toppings.

  3. Lene says

    5 stars
    I’ve never been very good at baking cookies they usually come out like little rocks. But this recipe was so easy and so tasty I will definitely keep this recipe thank you

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