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 (226 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup (70 g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (70 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cup (280 g) all purpose flour
- 2 teaspooons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar for rolling (optional)
- ⅓ cup (105 g) jam or preserves flavor of your choice -- I used raspberry preserves for this recipe
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.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- 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).⅓ cup (70 g) sugar, ⅓ cup (70 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed
- Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat well.1 large egg yolk, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.2 ¼ cup (280 g) all purpose flour, 2 teaspooons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon 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.½ cup sugar
- 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.⅓ cup (105 g) jam or preserves
- 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
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
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Pam
Hi, Can the cookies be frozen after they are baked?
Sam
Sure thing! 🙂
Caryn S
I’m excited to have found this site! I already had baked my cookies (using cookie cutter/embossers… I am putting the jam/s in after!
Raspberry (with a touch of Raspberry wine) for hearts (Earl Grey cookie)
Rhubarb lavender jam for flower/bee/butterfly cookies (by Girl Meets Dirt) (Cookie is Black Tea/Lavender/Rosepetal) / and some orange marmalade with a bit of Grand Marnier for variety.
These are for a wedding reception in the garden at a friend’s home.
Tomorrow! 7/6/24…
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Those sound divine, Caryn! We love your creativity. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Doxa
Hello
Could I freeze the dough? Before or after shaping the cookies? How should I bake them after? Apologize for all the questions and thanks in advance 😅
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Doxa! You can freeze the dough after shaping; we would probably let them thaw in the refrigerator, then fill and bake 🙂
Renée
Came out perfectly!
I absolutely LOVE that you emphasize measuring by weight, and that you used metric measurements, not the archaic, antiquated and silly imperial measurements. Saves SO much time
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
It’s the most accurate way to bake! And it’s easier too 😊 We’re so happy you enjoyed the cookies, Renée!
Richard Mann Jr
hi, would substituting dark chocolate ganache work in this recipe ?
If so should I still add it before starting to bake or part way through ?
thanks, Richard
Sam
Hi Richard! Yes it would work, see my chocolate thumbprint cookie recipe where I do this.
Denise
I have been looking for recipes for these simple cookies in which the cookie does not spread so much while baking, and THIS recipe is finally it! I’m so happy I found it and loved the video as well with the explanations. I made these yesterday and they are delicious – I baked exactly as suggested, they did not spread, the dough was easy to work with, they are a tad crunchy on the outside with the sugar and very soft and chewy inside. I added the preserves after baking. Perfect thumbprints. Recipe is a total keeper!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
So glad they turned out as expected for you, Denise! Thanks for using our recipe and coming back to leave a comment 🥰
Lucy
Excellent recipe. delicious, sweet but not too sweet. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside. I would/will make these again.
I use whole wheat flour as it’s what i have and it worked well. I used a whole egg to compensate for the extra absorption of whole wheat.
For fillings i used marmalade, strawberry jam and fig jam. All three came out excellent and the Tricolour looks great on the plate.
Only quirk was it took a good deal longer to start to brown the edges. My oven could easily be the issue though.
Sharon
Mine took quite a while to brown too and I’m using a new Viking oven. Yummy though! Worth the wait.
marei
You don’t mention if you can refrigerate the dough ahead of time. Was wondering if I could or if the dough would get to hard.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Marei! If you’d like to refrigerate the dough for a day or two instead of freezing (step 8), that will work. Enjoy!
Jeannie
I made these for a church coffee cafe’ and they were a huge hit! I used a raspberry jam (without seeds) as the filling and it worked perfectly. Church members requested to have them again and gave me ideas for additional fillings. Thanks for a perfect recipe!!
CiCi
My husband was so impressed with these humble thumbprint cookies. Easy and delicious!
Sonya
SO good, these were soft and crispy in all the right ways, I added a cream cheese glaze drizzle and they were incredible.
Erika
Absolutely the best cookies ever. Super easy and fast.
ARACELI FLORES
I love all your recipies!
Kathleen
I doubled the recipe, and after making them, I added this recipe to my regular database! Theses were everything I had hoped!
Deb S
❤️❤️
Kasmira
This is my go to recipe for thumbprint cookies! I have made them so many times and they always come out perfect! I don’t roll them in sugar and I still feel like they’re perfectly sweet!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Kasmira! Thanks so much for the review 🥰
Mallory
Melt in your mouth cookies, these are amazing. I did half with strawberry and half with raspberry. Baked exactly as written, I halved the recipe and they turned out amazing. I will be making these again and again.
Maddisen Francis
Can the rolled out and indented dough be stored in the fridge overnight? I want to do all the making part on Saturday, but bake them Sunday morning for Father’s day.
Thank you!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Maddisen! Sorry for the delay. That should work just fine–hope everyone enjoyed them! 😊