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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Marisa
Could I chill these in the fridge for a few hours vs freezer for 30 min?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That should work just fine. Enjoy, Marisa! ☺️
Priscilla
Seriously one of the best cookies I’ve ever made. Easy to follow instructions. Will be a christmas staple for us
Shauna
I love these cookies as do my family. I’ve made them three times and each time they crack when making the thumbprint. How do I prevent this? hould I use slightly less sugar in the dough?
Sam
Hi Shauna! Are you letting the dough chill enough? If so, you can most of the time push the cracks back together. 🙂
LISA KNOWLTON
once fully cooked and cooled, can they be frozen?
Sam
Sure thing! 🙂
Betsy
Tasted like butter and nothing else.. do not recommend
Sam
Hi Betsy! Are you sure there wasn’t a mis-measurement or any substitutions made here?
Olivia
what should I do if I don’t have a stand mixer or hand mixer?
Sam
Hi Olivia! It likely could be done by hand, but it’s going to be quite the workout.
Tammy Beland
Mine are crumbly and don’t roll nicely,They crack, not sure what I’m doing wrong?
Sam
Hi Tammy! I’m so sorry to hear this! Are you weighing your flour? There could potentially be too much flour in the dough. Has your dough chilled for the correct time?
Judy Hafenscher
can you use Candy kisses rather than jam?
Sam
Hi Judy! That should work. I would probably roll the cookies into balls, slightly flatten and add the kisses after baking. 🙂
Erin
Does this dough freeze well? How would you recommend preparing these in advance?
Sam
Hi Erin! You can make the dough, make the thumbprints and then freeze the cookies. 🙂
colleen
did you fill then and cook them and then freeze them?
chase
Hello! Is cornstarch necessary or can I skip?
Sam
I would substitute it with additional flour, but it’s key for a soft cookie. 🙂
Chelsea
Can you use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Sam
Hi Chelsea! You can use salted butter. I would just reduce the salt to 1/4 teaspoon. 🙂
George
I am a late learning baker who only started baking after my wife died. These thumbprints are the cookies which I have added to my family’s Christmas collection. These are now frequently asked for by my grandchildren. Thank you for a delicious recipe.
Bridget Shields
We love these! The last batch I made I used lemon curd as the filling. After they cooled completly I put a small bit of buttercream icing. OMG!! The best tasting thumbprint cookies ever!
Brigita
I made this recipe many times. Now I would like to get ahead with my Christmas baking. Could I just freeze cookie dough before it’s been filled and then fill it and bake it a week later?
Sam
Hi Brigita! I would probably make the indents and them freeze the dough. 🙂
Amy
Mine didn’t bake well; still pretty raw after 11 minutes. I put them in for another 5 minutes and they seemed better. They tasted nice and agree with another reviewer regarding ingredients and measurements in the steps!
Mama
Can I freeze these?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yes! Enjoy 😊
Iris Clark
don’t you use crushed walnuts to roll the cookies in?
Sam
I prefer the sugar but you could roll them in crushed walnuts if you’d like. 🙂
Audrey
These cookies came out so perfectly!! They’re not too sweet, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, and overall just so cute. 10/10 would recommend!