These classic thumbprint cookies are made with a simple sugar cookie dough, rolled in sparkling sugar, and then indented and filled with your choice of jam! These are an all-time favorite cookie recipe, and the filling options are absolutely endless!
We had our first snow here this past weekend! It was a light snow that’s pretty much all melted away by now, but Saturday (which also happened to be my birthday) was beautiful. It was so cozy in my kitchen with the glow from the Christmas tree and Christmas music playing, and to top everything off I had a batch of these thumbprint cookies baking in the oven, which I shared that evening when my family came over.
Even though the birthday cake that Zach made me was the dessert star of the show, I also had these thumbprint cookies out for a bite-sized treat option (because you can’t have too many desserts), and everyone loved them. Even Andi liked them, though she only ate the edges of the cookies and wouldn’t eat the jam filling because of seeds (I’d think that was ridiculous if I wasn’t exactly the same way at her age).
These thumbprint cookies are easy to make and the taste is incredible — they have soft, sweet interiors, sugared exteriors (though you can leave off the sugar if you’d like) and jam filled centers. Let’s get started on how to make the perfect thumbprint cookies.
Tips for perfect thumbprint cookies:
- For perfectly soft cookies that don’t spread: Whenever possible, I recommend using a scale to measure out your ingredients. It is so, so easy to over-measure or under-measure flour when using cups, causing your cookies to be too hard or to spread when they shouldn’t. If you don’t have a scale already, here is the one that I use in my own kitchen (affiliate link), it’s inexpensive and accurate and I can’t even bake without it anymore.
- For thumbprints that don’t crack: This dough is firm enough that you should be able to roll it into balls right after mixing it together (no chilling). Roll the balls between your hands until they are really, really smooth and there are no lines or cracks in the dough. Roll the cookie dough in sugar (optional) and then gently use your thumb or a teaspoon to slowly press an indent into the cookie. If you see the dough starting to crack anyway, you can usually press the dough back together successfully!
- Thumbprint Cookie Filling: I know that not all recipes do this, but I recommend adding the jam/preserves (you can use either) before baking the cookies. If the jam is too firm and isn’t easy to drop into the cookies, then place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for just a few seconds, just until it is easy to stir (you don’t want the jam to be hot, just more fluid and cooperative).
- Another tip to prevent spreading: This is a good rule of thumb for just about every cookie recipe. Never place your cookies on a hot cookie sheet. Make sure your cookie sheet has cooled completely before placing your next batch of cookies, otherwise they’ll start melting before they can start baking, and they’re much more likely to spread.
I used raspberry preserves in this recipe and really loved the way that the slightly tart raspberry flavor melded with the sweet sugar cookie bases. You can use any variety of jam or preserves that you prefer, though, I know that apricot and strawberry are popular options. You can also definitely opt for a seedless option, I liked the texture of the raspberry seeds (something my 12 year old self would be in utter shock to hear), but know that not everyone does!
As I mentioned above, I really recommend adding the jam before baking the cookies, but if you forget you can add it afterwards (you’ll need to re-indent the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven with a rounded teaspoon if you wait). As the cookies cool the jam will settle and firm up, and while it’ll remain slightly tacky even when cooled, they’re still firm enough that I stacked these thumbprint cookies on a platter to serve them over the weekend.
Enjoy, and I’d love to know what your favorite filling is!
If you like thumbprint cookies, make sure to check out my bourbon-infused chocolate version, my peanut butter and chocolate version, and my key-lime version!
Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature (226g)
- ⅓ cup sugar (70g)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed (70g)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour (280g)
- 2 teaspooons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar for rolling (optional)
- ⅓ cup jam or preserves flavor of your choice -- I used raspberry preserves for this recipe (105g)
Instructions
- Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (you may instead use a large bowl and an electric hand mixer) and beat until creamy.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add sugars, and beat, gradually increasing mixer speed to medium-high until ingredients are well-combined (about 30-60 seconds).
- Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients until completely combined. This dough will seem very dry and crumbly, so be sure to pause occasionally to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. If it starts to strain your mixer you can use your hands to finish working the dough together.
- Scoop cookie dough into 1 Tablespoon-sized balls and roll very well (so that the dough is round and there are no cracks/seams in the cookie dough -- this will help keep your thumbprints from cracking).
- Roll in granulated sugar (if using) and place on a wax-paper covered plate or small cookie sheet. Use your thumb or the rounded back of a teaspoon to gently press an indent in the center of the cookie dough. Repeat until all of the dough has been used.
- Transfer cookie dough to freezer and chill for 30 minutes.
- Once dough is done chilling, preheat oven to 375F (190C) and place your jam in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat briefly (about 5-10 seconds) or until jam is not hot but is no longer firm and is easy to stir.
- Spoon jam into each thumbprint, filling each indent to the brim.
- Once oven is preheated, place cookies at least 2" apart on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake on 375F (190C) for 11 minutes or until edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying.
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase anything through these links I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please view the disclosure policy for more information.
Joan
This is by far the best cookie recipe I have ever made, and I’ve made a lot. The cookie is buttery, crunchy and crumbly all at the same time, and yet still melts in your mouth. Everyone who has tried them wants the recipe. I’ve experimented with different fillings and my personal favorites are my own homemade crabapple jelly, Smuckers seedless raspberry jam and lemon curd made from scratch. I’ve also tried an almond filling that I make myself which is very nice. I’m toying with the idea of a chocolate ganache, butterscotch or even a buttertart type filling. The only limit is my imagination. I’m so happy I found this recipe, it’s my go-to cookie now. Thank you!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Joan! I love trying different fillings. Yours all sound delicious! 🙂
Nona
Can I substitute the sugar with powdered sugar and omit the cornstarch? The caster sugar in my country is not fine enough and I found that the sugar didn’t dissolve
Sam
Hmm unfortunately I can’t say for sure how it will turn out, but if you do try it I would love to know how it turns out. 🙂
Julia
Some of my favorite cookies I’ve ever made — I had to leave a review! Perfect recipe.
Sam
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Julia! I am so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Carolynn Leclair
I just made these tonight, yep, Christmas is over but hey, it’s always time for cookies! They are absolutely delicious! My daughter and husband raved about them. I actually skipped dinner after my bike ride and just had cookies! This recipe is definitely going into the keep and do again pile! Thank you! I will certainly try more of your recipes
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Carolynn! I eat them year round so no judgement here. 🙂
MuensterMash
Great recipe! I adapted this recipe slightly by adding orange zest I had in my freezer that I needed to use up, along with some cardamom, ginger, and allspice in the dough, and rolled them in spiced sugar I made for something else that I had leftover (sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves). Baked them with plum jam. Perfect winter cookie. About 13 minutes in my tiny apartment oven. Made them again with the same spices with a bit of pumpkin butter for the filling. ( I find the back of a teaspoon is the perfect size for indentation. ) Also amazing! Also made some without filling and just flattened before freezing, and they are a great simple cookie like that. Thanks for a recipe worthy of adding to my new vintage recipe box! A classic for us already. My boyfriend has asked for them twice since the first batch! 🙂
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Sheryl Miller
I made these the first time for my great-niece who mentioned to me that they were her favorite cookie. I ate half of them the night I made them. They are addictive & turned out to be a big hit over the holidays. I gave some to my grand daughter to take home last week & she told me her mother ate them all! I am making some for her mother right now.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Sheryl! 🙂
Brie
Ran out of jam halfway through and ended up using apple butter for the rest. Those were the favorites. Great twist for a fall/winter cookie
Sam
Ooo apple butter sounds tasty! 🙂
Lynn
Can I make this recipe without corn starch? Thats the only ingredient I am missing.. 🙁
Sam
Hi Lynn! You can! Substitute it with flour. 🙂
Sally
Love, love, love! I’m bad at baking cookies, but these are my go-to, no-fail cookies. I almost gave up because my dough was very crumbly but I kept the mixer going for almost 20 minutes before everything came together. Made them for Christmas and gifted them to the neighbors and they were a hit. My kids and husband absolutely love them!
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the cookies, Sally! 🙂
Jessica
I have tried other thumbprint recipes but they were no where near as good! I use this for thumbprint cookies and for making my lemon curd cookies. Best recipe ever!!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Jessica! 🙂
Ericka
I never leave comments, but I felt compelled to do so on this recipe. Such a fun idea. Cookie dough was perfect. I had best results when I put the cookie sheet in the freezer too. I decided to use this recipe when my neighbor gave me blackberry wine for XMas. I don’t usually drink this kind of wine, so I made it into a jelly! Your cookie recipe was perfect vehicle for the jelly!
Thx for posting this. Ericka
Sam
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Ericka! I am so glad you enjoyed the cookies so much! 🙂
Irene F
These are the best thumbprints I’ve ever made. Made several dozen and gave them to friends. I’m still getting compliments on how delicious they were. I used raspberry jalapeño jam on half and the other half used a fig jam. I rolled them in sugar crystals and baked them with the jam. My oven took about 14 minutes and I turned the pan halfway through. Simple and absolutely delicious.
Stella
I absolutely love these cookies I just got into baking I started a small local baking business and included these cookies!!! Extra credit to you for creating! Today someone ordered 36 cookies!!! Lol😂 thank you so much for sharing your recipe!!! These cookies are the best!!! One question a couple of times when I made these cookies I forgot to have the eggs at room temperature 😅 luckily they still tasted great! I was just wondering why your dairy is better at room temperature.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoys them so much! I usually use all room temperature ingredients because it helps the ingredients combine better. It doesn’t mean the cookies won’t turn out, it just helps. 🙂
Stella
Oh thanks for responding thats good to know.
Chris Moyer
These cookies are really good they are not hard to make at all and a great way to guest something good and sweet I put Reecie cups in mine and they turned out great. Wont let me post a pic or would. Lol
Hannah N.
THESE COOKIES WERE AMAZING!!! I couldn’t contain myself and ate a few not long after they came out of the oven and good lord, with that warm jam in the middle and that perfectly sweet *but not too sweet* sugar cookie around it – I melted!! Pretty sure these cookies were responsible for all of my holiday weight gain this year! And I’d do it again in a heartbeat! One word: YUM.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Hannah! 🙂