There’s something about Jam Thumbprint Cookies that just channels nostalgia. With a buttery, crumbly base and a sweet, fruity jam center these cookies are hard to resist!
Table of Contents
What Are Jam Thumbprint Cookies?
Jam thumbprint cookies are classic shortbread-style cookies with a soft, tender texture and a jewel-like center of your favorite jam or preserves. Their signature look comes from gently pressing a thumb into the dough before baking, creating the perfect little pocket for the sweet filling. Simple yet elegant, these cookies have a balance of buttery richness and fruity brightness that’s hard to beat.
Originally thought to have originated in Sweden, these cookies have become a favorite worldwide, often customized with seasonal jams, nuts, or flavored doughs. Their versatility makes them a baker’s dream — you can mix and match flavors to suit your cravings! Whether you’re baking them for a crowd or a cozy night in, jam thumbprint cookies always feel special.
Ingredients You Need
- Unsalted Butter – Softened butter gives these cookies their rich, tender texture. We suggest letting it sit at room temperature for even blending.
- Granulated Sugar – This sweetener adds a light sweetness and helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Rolling the dough in extra sugar gives it an added crunch.
- Egg Yolk – The yolk enhances the richness and helps bind the dough together for a smooth texture.
- Egg – Adding the whole egg creates balance and provides structure while keeping the cookies tender.
- Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla adds warmth and rounds out the other flavors. Be sure to use pure vanilla for the best results.
- All-Purpose Flour – The base of the dough, all-purpose flour creates the perfect soft and slightly crumbly cookie. Sift it for an even consistency.
- Almond Flour – This flour adds a subtle nutty flavor and extra softness to the dough.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar for Rolling – This step is optional, but rolling the dough in sugar creates a lightly crisp exterior.
- Jam or Preserves – The fruity filling is the heart of this cookie! We love raspberry and apricot for a pop of tangy sweetness, but you can use any favorite flavor.
How to Make Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Cream the butter and sugar. Beat softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients. Mix in the egg yolk, whole egg, and vanilla extract until everything is evenly combined and smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt to another bowl and whisk them together. Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the cookies. Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into balls. If you’re choosing to coat them in sugar, roll each ball in it before placing it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create the thumbprint. Gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each dough ball to make a shallow well.
- Fill with jam. Add a dollop of your chosen jam into each well, being careful not to overfill.
- Bake the cookies. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until the edges are golden, and the cookies are set.
- Cool and enjoy. Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Variations
- Jam – Use seasonal jams like strawberry-rhubarb or fig for a fun twist.
- Nuts – Roll the dough in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
- Coconut Flour – Swap some all-purpose flour for coconut flour for a tropical vibe.
- Lemon Zest – Add a touch of citrus zest to the dough for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Spices – Mix cinnamon or cardamom into the dry ingredients for a warmly spiced version.
- Chocolate – Use chocolate ganache or chocolate hazelnut spread instead of jam for a rich and creamy filling.
- Glaze – Once baked, drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cookies for an extra touch of sweetness.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Stored jam thumbprint cookies may soften over time due to the moisture from the jam but they’re still delicious!
To refrigerate, place the cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.
For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to three months.
Common Questions about Jam Thumbprint Cookies
These little gems are easier than you might think! You basically mix up a simple dough, chill it, roll it into balls, and then press your thumb into the center to create a little well. Pop in some jam, bake, and voila! Deliciousness.
Really, any jam you love will work! Classics like raspberry, strawberry, and apricot are always a hit. But don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors like blackberry, cherry, or even fig or plum.
Absolutely! All-purpose flour is the usual suspect, but you can experiment with things like whole wheat flour for a heartier cookie, or even gluten-free flour if needed. Just keep in mind that the texture might change slightly.
Chilling the dough before baking is key! It helps the butter firm up, preventing the cookies from flattening out too much. Also, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet, and make sure your oven is preheated properly.
More Cookie Recipes
If you have a craving for cookies, you’re in the right place! Check out more of our popular cookie recipes sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Soft Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies
Dipped Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar for rolling, optional
- ⅓ cup jam or preserves of choice we did raspberry and apricot
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and ½ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.1 cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, whole egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully combined.1 large egg yolk, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup almond flour, ½ teaspoon salt
- Shape and Roll: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. If desired, roll the ball in the additional ½ cup sugar for a crisp, sweet coating. Place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.½ cup granulated sugar
- Create Indentations: Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of jam or preserves into each indentation.⅓ cup jam or preserves of choice
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality jam or preserves. Raspberry, apricot, and strawberry are classic choices!
- Almond flour adds a subtle nuttiness to the cookies but can be replaced with additional all-purpose flour if needed.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Would you like to save this? 🔖
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
