Classic Thumbprint Cookies Recipe (Soft & Buttery!)

These Thumbprint Cookies are soft, buttery, and scrumptious! The melt-in-your-mouth shortbread pairs perfectly with the sweet jam for a classic treat everyone will love.

Add a simple glaze on top, and they become completely irresistible! Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, these cookies will quickly become a favorite. 

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The Players for Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

• Butter – To create these buttery cookies, you’ll need two sticks of room temperature butter.
• Powdered Sugar – This will add sweetness to the shortbread cookies. You’ll also use this for the optional glaze on top.
• Egg yolk – Using egg yolks creates a more tender buttery shortbread cookie.
• Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract enhances the flavor and aroma of the cookies, giving them a warm, rich, and slightly sweet depth.
• Almond Extract – Almond extract adds a sweet and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery shortbread and sweet jam center.
• Flour – I use all-purpose flour for these classic thumbprint cookies.
• Cornstarch – This is going to help thicken up the cookie and give it a crumbly texture.
• Preserves – For this recipe, I’m using both Boysenberry preserves and Four Fruit Preserves. But feel free to use your favorite jam! More filling options are listed down below.
• Milk – I use whole milk to make the glaze, but feel free to use any milk you have on hand.

Tools:

• Electric Mixer – Using an electric mixer (either a hand mixer or a stand mixer) is great for making this best thumbprint cookie recipe!

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies

Place your oven rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone liner and set aside. 

In a large bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter. Add the powdered sugar and mix for 2 minutes.Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.

Mix in the dry ingredients of flour and cornstarch and mix for 1 minute at medium speed. Be sure to not over-mix.

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chill time helps the dough firm up, ensuring a perfect texture and easier handling.

Bake the Thumbprint Cookies

Once the dough has chilled, it’s time to bake! I prefer tall, rustic-looking cookies, so I take about 2 tablespoons of dough and drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

I simply plop the dough on without rolling it. For a neater appearance, use a small cookie scoop and roll into cookie dough balls.

In the center of each cookie, create a deep indentation using either the back of your thumb or the back of a measuring teaspoon. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of preserves in the center of each ball of dough. 

Bake the cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be very slightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet on top of a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before moving the cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

Make the Glaze

This next step is completely optional. Some might find the cookie is sweet enough without the additional glaze, but it’s a great way to sneak in a little more of that almond flavor into the cookie.

In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk to create a thick glaze. Take a spoon and drizzle the glaze over the top as little or as much as you’d like. You can also use a piping bag if you’d like, but the spoon is way easier and faster.

Freezing and Storage Instructions

To freeze the Thumbprint Cookies, place the unbaked dough balls on a large baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on the counter for 1 hour to thaw. Make the indentations, add the jam, and bake as directed.

To store these Thumbprint Cookies, place cookies in an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap. They will keep on the counter for up to 4 days.

Testing Different Methods for Adding Preserves to Thumbprint Cookies

I wanted to experiment with adding preserves to the cookies at different stages: before baking, halfway through, and after baking.

For preserves that are more solidified and adhere better to the cookie, add your cherry jam before baking. This helps the preserves bond to the dough more effectively.

Around the 8-minute mark, I added cherry preserves to a few cookies and returned them to the oven for the rest of the baking time.

Lastly, I added preserves to a couple of cookies after they were finished baking.

In conclusion, I found that adding preserves halfway through or after baking didn’t affect the taste or appearance. However, the preserves added before baking were more solidified and less likely to shift, making them easier to transport.

Personally, I preferred the ‘baked-in’ preserves! They were firmer and less messy than those added later.

Variations of Jams & Preserves

You can use any variety of preserves, jams, or jellies that you’d like in these buttery thumbprint cookies! Here are additional flavors of jams and preserves to try for your next cookie platter:

• Blueberry Preserves
• Apricot Jam
• Strawberry Jam
• Blackberry Preserves
• Raspberry Jam
• Grape Jelly
• Lemon Curd

Jelly, Jam, and Preserves: What Should I Use for Thumbprint Cookies?

While there are some differences between jelly, jam, and preserves, you can use any of these to make your thumbprint cookies! Here are the differences:

• Jelly – Has no pieces of fruit in it and is very smooth. Typically kids enjoy this in their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since there are no large chunks of fruit.
• Jam – Is made with fruit that has been mashed or crushed and is evenly distributed throughout the jam.
• Preserves – Has large pieces of fruit chunks throughout the preserves, which some people either love or some people hate.

Versatile Topping Ideas for Perfect Christmas Cookies

With so many ways to top these cookies, this recipe is truly the best! If you’re not a fan of preserves, feel free to skip them and experiment with other toppings.

You can make shortbread cookies by omitting the jam, and once they’re cooled, drizzle them with dark chocolate. Or, if you prefer something tangy, try lemon curd thumbprint cookies—just be sure to add it after baking while the cookies are cooling.

These would make perfect Christmas cookies for a cookie exchange during the holiday season! The possibilities are endless with this versatile recipe.

Pin it for Later!

If you end up making these Cherry and Almond Thumbprint Cookies, let me know which preserve you ended up trying. I’d love to chat with you!

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1 John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them."