There's something instantly joyful about the buttery cookie base paired with a dollop of vibrant jam right in the center. This Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe is my go-to for when I want a cozy, nostalgic treat that’s both simple to make and irresistibly tasty.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe feels like a warm hug—easy to put together, forgiving for beginners, and endlessly customizable. Plus, it’s a beautiful crowd-pleaser whether you’re baking for holiday gatherings or an afternoon snack.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry, making it super convenient.
- Quick Prep and Bake Time: From mixing to oven-ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Delightful Flavor Pairing: The buttery cookie contrasts perfectly with the sweet and tangy jam.
- Kid-Friendly and Fun: Pressing the jam into the cookies is always a hit with little helpers in the kitchen.
Ingredients & Why They Work
What’s great here is the harmony between rich butter, just the right amount of sugar, and the tart fruitiness of the jam. Each ingredient plays a key role in achieving that classic thumbprint cookie texture and flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure without being too dense.
- Baking powder: Adds just a slight lift so the cookies don’t turn out flat.
- Fine salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Provides that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture; soften it for easy creaming.
- Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light crumb; rolling dough balls in extra sugar adds a lovely sparkle.
- Egg: Binds the dough, making it tender but sturdy.
- Pure vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor with warm, rounded notes.
- Jam (raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry): The star centerpiece for that fruity pop and pretty color.
Make It Your Way
I love swapping out flavors of jam depending on the season or mood—sometimes apricot, other times blackberry. You can even add a sprinkle of cinnamon or lemon zest to the dough for an extra twist!
- Jam Variations: I once made these with tangy homemade cherry jam, and the flavor combo was next-level.
- Dietary Swaps: Try coconut oil for butter if you're dairy-free, but expect a slightly different texture.
- Decorative Coating: Rolling the dough balls in colored sanding sugar adds a festive sparkle for holidays.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
I start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent so every cookie rises just right. I always sift to avoid lumps, but you can whisk vigorously if you prefer.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Using a handheld mixer, I beat the softened butter and sugar for about 5 minutes. This part is key for that tender crumb. You’ll notice the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy—that’s when to stop.
Step 3: Incorporate Egg, Vanilla, and Dry Mix
Next, I add the egg and vanilla, mixing until just combined—don't overbeat here. Then, I slowly add the flour mixture in two parts, folding gently to keep the dough tender but cohesive.
Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Press
I scoop one-inch balls of dough with a cookie scoop, rolling each in sugar for an extra crunch. Then, I place them on parchment-lined sheets about 2 inches apart and press my thumb into the center of each, creating a nice half-inch indentation.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Filling each thumbprint with about ¾ teaspoon of your favorite jam is the fun part—I try not to overfill to avoid spills. Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) until the edges turn golden, which typically takes about 15 minutes. Cooling them right on the pan helps the bottoms crisp up beautifully.
Top Tip
Through trial and error, I’ve learned a few things that make this Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe foolproof and extra delicious. Don’t skip these tips—you’ll thank me later!
- Butter Softness: Make sure your butter isn’t just softened but actually room temperature. Too cold and the dough won’t cream well; too melted and it gets greasy.
- Indent Consistency: Use the tip of your thumb or even the back of a small spoon for uniform indents—this helps the jam stay put during baking.
- Don’t Overfill Jam: Filling the thumbprint just enough ensures the jam won’t bubble over or burn in the oven.
- Chill if Needed: If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for 15 minutes helps maintain shape better.
How to Serve Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe
Garnishes
I like a light dusting of powdered sugar over these cookies just before serving—it adds a little festive flair without overpowering the jam's natural zing. Sometimes a tiny fresh berry or mint leaf tucked beside the cookies adds a fresh look at parties.
Side Dishes
These thumbprint cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. For brunch spreads, I serve them alongside fruit salad or yogurt parfaits, where their sweetness complements tangy and fresh flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange these cookies on tiered dessert stands or scatter edible flowers around the platter. Another idea that guests love: pairing different jam flavors on one tray, letting everyone try a variety of fruity bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If the jam softens the cookie base a bit over time, a quick re-crisping in a toaster oven revives that lovely texture.
Freezing
This dough freezes beautifully! I scoop and roll the dough balls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, just bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
If you want to freshen up the cookies after storing, I pop them into a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This warms the jam slightly and crisps up the edges without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! This Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe is very versatile. You can use raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam. Just pick your favorite, or whatever you have on hand.
To keep the jam in place, don’t overfill the thumbprint indentation. About ¾ teaspoon per cookie works well. Also, pressing a deep enough indentation before filling helps the jam stay contained during baking.
You can substitute the unsalted butter for a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter. Keep in mind this might slightly change the texture and flavor, but the cookies will still be delicious.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, freezing is a great option and preserves their flavor and texture well.
Final Thoughts
Making these Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe always brings back sweet memories of baking with family and sharing simple moments. They’re the kind of treat that feels just as special on a quiet afternoon as they do at lively gatherings. I can’t recommend them enough—you’ll find it hard to stop at just one!
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Easy Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious homemade Thumbprint Cookies featuring a buttery dough with a sweet jam center. These classic cookies are perfect for any occasion and easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), softened
- ⅔ cup sugar plus more for rolling
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Filling
- ⅓ cup raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, use a handheld mixer to whip the softened unsalted butter and ⅔ cup sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture just until combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, mixing only until incorporated to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookie Balls: Use a cookie scoop to form 1-inch balls of dough and roll each ball in additional sugar to coat.
- Place on Baking Sheets: Arrange the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Create Thumbprints: Press a thumbprint or an indentation about ½ inch deep into the center of each dough ball to create space for the jam filling.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon approximately ¾ teaspoon of your chosen jam (raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry) into each indentation.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack or serving plate.
Notes
- For a different flavor, try using apricot or blackberry jam instead of the suggested berries.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right dough consistency.
- If you don’t have a cookie scoop, you can use a tablespoon to portion the dough.
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking adds a slight crunch and extra sweetness to the cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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