Description
Delight in these classic Thumbprint Cookies, buttery and tender, filled with your favorite fruit preserves. Perfect for holiday gatherings or an everyday sweet treat, these cookies balance a rich, soft dough with a sweet, fruity center.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling and Finishing
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves or jam (such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
- Optional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated to add richness and aroma to the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Dough Balls: Scoop and roll the dough into 1-inch balls, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow space for spreading.
- Create Thumbprint Indentations: Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie ball, forming a well for the jam filling.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen fruit preserves into each indentation, ensuring the jam stays within the center.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes or until the edges just start to turn a light golden color, indicating they are done but still soft inside.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
- Optional Dusting: Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired for a festive finish and added sweetness.
Notes
- Experiment with different jams like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry for colorful variations.
- If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it for 30 minutes before rolling for easier shaping.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
