These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 1

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 2

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 3

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 4

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 5

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 6

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 7

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 8

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 9

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 10

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 11

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 12

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 13

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 14

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 15

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 16

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 17

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 18

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 19

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 20

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 21

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 22

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 23

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 24

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 25

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 26

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 27

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 28

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 29

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 30

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 31

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 32

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 33 Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 34

Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 35

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 36

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 37

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 38

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 39

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 40

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 41

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 42

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 43

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 44

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 45

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 46

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 47

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 48

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 49

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 50

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 51

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 52

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 53

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 54

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 55

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 56

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 57

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 58

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 59

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 60

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 61

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 62

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 63

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 64

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 65

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 66

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 67

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 68

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 69

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 70

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 71

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 72

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 73

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 74

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 75

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 76

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 77

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 78

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 79

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 80

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 81

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 82

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 83

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 84

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 85

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 86

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 87

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 88

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 89

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 90

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 91

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 92

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

FOLLOW ME

Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 93

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 94

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

A plate of S'mores cookies topped with milk chocolate bars and marshmallows. - 95

S’mores Cookies

27 mins

A plate of monster cookies which are made with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's. - 96

Monster Cookies

25 mins

A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles. - 97

Cake Mix Cookies

20 mins

Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin, - 98

Snowball Cookies

50 mins

A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles. - 99

Chocolate Spritz Cookies

20 mins

Love This Recipe?

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 100

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie recipe that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

When the holidays roll around, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up plenty of festive Christmas recipes including Italian cookies , Oreo stuffed cookies , eggnog cookies , Nutella cookies and these beautiful little thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving. - 101

Thumbprint cookies are a classic for good reason – they’re simple yet look so impressive, and they couldn’t be any easier to make! You can customize your cookies by adding any number of fillings and coatings for a sweet treat that’s delicious any time of the year.

  • Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?
  • Tips For Perfect Cookies
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Flavor Variations
  • More Great Cookie Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Thumbprint Cookies Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, a large egg, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, baking soda, salt and jam.

How Do You Make Thumbprint Cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are all about the perfect dough that bakes up crisp on the outside, yet soft on the inside. Make this dough by beating sugar, brown sugar and butter together. Mix in an egg, some vanilla, flour and baking soda and the dough is ready to go. Chill the dough in the fridge and roll it into balls. Dip the dough balls in sugar, then place them on a baking sheet. Press wells into the cookies with a spoon. Fill the cookies with a little jam, you can use any flavor of your choice. Bake until light golden brown, then cool and enjoy.

Balls of cookie dough rolled in sugar. - 102

Tips For Perfect Cookies

  • Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  • After you put the jam in the cookies, place the sheet pan of cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much as it bakes.
  • Some dark jams and jellies can “stain” the dough of the cookies. If you are worried about staining, avoid using blackberry or grape jams or jellies. I typically use raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam.
  • Make sure you don’t overfill the cookies or the jam may bubble over and run down the sides of the cookies.
  • If your balls of dough crack as you make the indentations in the middle, your dough may be overly cold and stiff. You can simply patch any cracks with your fingers .

Quick Tip

If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Balls of cookie dough with indentations in them. - 103

You can freeze baked thumbprint cookies. Just place them in an airtight container in a single layer. If you want to stack cookies, put a piece of waxed paper, plastic wrap or parchment paper between the layers. The frozen cookies stay fresh for about a month. When you are ready to eat the cookies remove them from the container and let them thaw on the counter.

There is no need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies, and they will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.

It’s very important to chill your cookie dough before you bake it. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

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Cookie dough filled with fruit jam. - 104

Flavor Variations

While this recipe is delicious as written, you can easily customize the flavors to suit your tastes.

  • Coatings: Try rolling your balls of cookie dough in coatings such as sprinkles, coconut, finely minced almonds, pecans, walnuts or cinnamon sugar.
  • Fillings: The filling possibilities are endless and include ingredients such as Nutella, lemon curd, chocolate ganache, marshmallow cream or caramel sauce.
A plate of jam filled thumbprint cookies. - 105

This thumbprint cookie recipe is so fun to make because you can fill the cookies with all different kinds of flavors. This is a holiday classic that never goes out of style!

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Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
  • ▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ▢ 1 egg
  • ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ▢ 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/2 cup jam

Instructions

  • Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
  • Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
  • Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
  • Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  • Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don’t crack.
  • Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
  • Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

  1. Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
  2. If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. - 111