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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Jessica
After trying these for Christmas, my family wants me to make these all the time. They melt in your mouth. So delicious. Definitely a keeper.
Jackie
These are my favorite cookie ever, and this is the best recipe I’ve found yet. My husband prefers chocolate based baked goods, so last time I made these, I figured they were all for me… well, he discovered that he loves fruity desserts now, and is happily awaiting a batch fresh from the oven. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Paula
I have made this recipe many times, it’s really good. Last night, after cooking all day, I accidentally added the entire egg to this recipe. I decided to see how it came out and was pleasantly surprised with a more pliable dough with no cracks and same delicious taste!
Donna Joyce
I used half organic whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour in the recipe. Cookies are light tan in color and have a bit more nutritional value. Perfection!
Autumn
these were amazing! i made them for valentines day with heart-shaped jam indents and they tasted so rich. i didn’t have any issues with the recipe and will definitely make them again.
Melisa Roentved
Best recipe for thumb cookies so far 😊
JL
Dough was too hard after freezing for 30 minutes. It cracks when trying to make indent and dough was crumbly. I had followed all instructions and measured all the flour and sugar but something is off. It looks so bad I will have to take a pack of Oreos to church for cookies instead! I will not be experimenting with unknown recipes next time! Such a waste of time and ingredients! ( And I am an excellent baker! If only I could insert a photo.)
Sam
I’m sorry to hear this happened! I just want to check that you tightly rolled the dough balls and made the indents before freezing?
Dale
Roll out the dough balls and indent them before freezing, as the instructions say, your cookies will come out much better. 🙂
Stacy Shingleton
Did you really follow the recipe?
Rosemary Yvonne
I took my small cookie scoop rolled the dough into ball. I then put my thumb into the middle and my forefinger to make hole nice. I put 15 cookies like this on a cookie sheet. Covered the cookies with plastic wrap and put them in the freezer that way. 30 minutes later put my canned strawberry jam I made a 1/4 teaspoon perfect amount and baked at 11 minutes came out perfect. I let them cool completely and sprinkled powder sugar on them. Yummy.
Leah
I rolled them in red sugar for Valentine’s Day. They were perfect!
Colleen
I made this recipe exactly as instructed (I even used my brand new kitchen scale to weigh the ingreadients). They came out amazing. I took them to work for sharing and people wanted to “place orders” for them:)
Lila
These were so good! I didn’t roll them in sugar, but they still turned out great! So delicious with any flavor of jam😊.
Millie
Hello! Thank you so much for this thumbprint recipe! Just 2 questions- can the vanilla extract be subbed for almond extract, along with he raspberry jam, and could the dough be made in advance, say a day or so?
Sam
Hi Millie! You could sub in almond extract, but you’ll want to use less as it’s much more potent than vanilla. I would wait to fill the shells until baking to minimize the risk of the jam bleeding. 🙂
Alice
terrible recipe!!!! I’ve been baking all my life and this was the worst. I followed the recipe exactly… I could hardly roll them into balls and they completely fell apart when I tried to make the imprint in them for the jam. what a complete waste of money as it all ended up in the garbage.
Sam
Alice, I can say with absolute certainty something went wrong in your kitchen. This is a bummer and happens to everyone now and then, but I can guarantee you this is not a recipe issue. Please take a look at the video where I make these on camera and take a look at the other comments on this recipe (some people have won cookie competitions with this very recipe). I would love for you to have the results that i have at home and others are having! Most likely an ingredient was mis-measured (could you have mis-read an amount, left something out by mistake, or accidentally used too much flour?), though if you didn’t mix the dough enough this could also be a contributing issue. I’m happy to help troubleshoot but I want to assure you and anyone else reading that the recipe is well-tested and sound.
Lauren
Do these freeze well? Thanks!
Sam
Hi Lauren! You shouldn’t have any issues freezing these. 🙂
Kade
Are they supposed to be soft when coming out of the oven? I baked for 17 minutes and they are still soft, wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. Thanks!
Sam
Hi Kade! All cookies should be soft when coming out of the oven, if you baked them for 17 minutes I fear they may be quite dry and crumbly once they cool 🙁
Margaret R Kerr
Excellent recipe! I use this all the time to make my boyfriend’s favorite childhood cookie! I make a bunch of different flavors like peach, apricot, strawberry, cherry, and fig jam is delicious too! I get rave reviews from sharing these with friends.
Amani
I made mine with gluten free flour and dairy free butter and they were absolutley delish
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know, Amani 🩷