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Home » Eats & Drinks » Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

Published on January 27, 2021 by Eden

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These thumbprint cookies are truly the best! They’re buttery shortbread cookies, rolled in crushed walnuts and filled with jam! Truly one of our favorite cookie recipes ever and it only contains 6 simple ingredients.

Jam filled cookie, rolled in chopped walnuts.

Thumbprint cookies have become one of my favorite cookies. They are seriously so good that I can’t even keep them around for more than a few hours before they’re gone!

They have a melt in your mouth, delicious buttery flavor that makes you go back for more and more…. and more. The recipe is a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. It’s the perfect ration of butter, flour and sugar.

What I love about these cookies is that it’s a simple shortbread base, then rolled in crushed walnuts giving them a crunchy texture, then filled with preserves or jam. The butter and brown sugar flavor go so well together and then with the added sweetness of the jam, these cookies are beyond delicious.

They’re also great for several occasions. For a bridal shower, baby shower, tea party, Easter (they look like little nests!), a cookie swap and of course the perfect holiday cookie too.

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies

Butter, egg yolks, egg whites, flour, crushed walnuts and brown sugar in bowls on a marble table to make cookies.

This recipe only uses 6 simple ingredients!

Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Eggs – Separated
  • Butter – Salted or Unsalted
  • Dark Brown Sugar
  • Chopped Walnuts
  • Jam – Any flavor you like!
  • thumb print cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before baking
  • rolling cookie dough in egg whites
  • rolling cookie dough ball into chopped walnuts
  • filling cookies with jam
  • filling thumbprint cookies with jam

Directions

Measure your ingredients – Separate the egg yolks and whites, quickly whisk the flour to remove lumps. Measure the brown sugar by packing the measuring cup.

Mix – Cream the butter and brown sugar together. Add in the egg yolks and flour and mix on medium until fully combined. Do not over mix.

Crush the walnuts – In a food processor or blender add in the walnuts and pulse until they are finely chopped. Pour them into a shallow plate or bowl.

Roll the dough – Use a melon baller to scoop the dough and hand roll it into small balls.

Coat the cookies – Roll the balls in egg whites and then the chopped walnuts to cover the entire ball.

Prepare for baking – Place 12 cookies on a lined baking sheet and press down in the middle using a small round measuring teaspoon or something similar to make a “thumbprint.”

Bake first time – Place the cookies in a preheated 375° Fahrenheit. Bake for 13 minuets. You will bake again after they are filled.

Next, fill the cookies with jam – Using a small spoon add in a small amount of jam just until the “thumbprint” is filled.

Then bake again – Place them back in the oven and bake again for 5 minutes.

Let them cool, then enjoy!

Thumbprint cookie filled with raspberry jam and rolled in crushed walnuts.

Thumbprint Cookie Tips

Here are some useful tips to help you make the best thumbprint cookies!

  1. You can use salted butter for this recipe since there is no added salt. Truly your preference.
  2. Measure the flour correctly by lightly spooning it into a measuring cup, then sweeping off the excess with a knife.
  3. Do not use your thumb for these, use a small round tool like a measuring spoon to get a perfect circle. Add a little flour to it to prevent sticking.
  4. Make sure to use room temperature butter. If it’s not, microwave it for a few seconds to soften.
  5. Use any, good-quality jam you prefer or do a mix of a few flavors!

Thumbprint Cookie Variations

  • Fill them with chocolate or peanut butter.
  • Skip the walnuts or use crushed almonds or pistachios.
  • Fill them with candy melts for fun colors.
  • Roll them in sugar instead of nuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my thumbprint cookies spread?

This could be for a few reasons. Make sure the oven is preheated to the right temperature. Use real butter, not margin. If the dough is super soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before baking.

Do cookies with jam need to be refrigerated?

Thumbprint cookies filled with jam can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. If you prefer you can refrigerate them as well.

Thumbprint cookies filled with jam.

More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love!

The Best Chewy Ginger Cookies

Our Favorite Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies

The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Lemon and Thyme Shortbread Cookies

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Mini Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

Roly Poly Santa Cookies

Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Let us know if you try these thumbprint cookies by leaving a comment and review below! We’d love to know your thoughts.

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Thumbprint cookies filled with jam

Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies are truly the best! They're buttery shortbread cookies, rolled in crushed walnuts and filled with jam! Truly one of our favorite cookie recipes ever using only 6 simple ingredients.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cookie recipe, Cookies, Jam, tea cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, seperate the egg yolks and whites
  • 1 cup butter, 2 sticks, salted or unsalted
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
  • 12 ounces preserves, any flavor you want!

Instructions

  • Measure your ingredients – Separate the egg yolks and whites, quickly whisk the flour to remove lumps. Measure the brown sugar by packing the measuring cup. 
  • Mix – Cream the butter and brown sugar together. Add in the egg yolks and flour and mix on medium until fully combined.
  • Crush the walnuts – In a food processor or blender add in the walnuts and pulse until they are finely chopped. Pour them into a shallow plate or bowl. 
  • Roll the dough – Use a melon baller to scoop the dough and hand roll it into small balls
  • Coat the cookies – Roll the balls in egg whites and then the chopped walnuts to cover the entire ball. 
  • Prepare for baking – Place 12 cookies on a lined baking sheet and press down in the middle using a small round measuring teaspoon or something similar to make a “thumbprint.” 
    thumb print cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before baking
  • Bake first time – Place the cookies in a preheated 375° Fahrenheit. Bake for 13-15 minuets. You will bake again after they are filled.
  • Next, fill the cookies with jam – Using a small spoon add in a small amount of jam just until the “thumbprint” is filled. 
    filling thumbprint cookies with jam
  • Then bake again – Place them back in the oven and bake again for 5 minutes.

Notes

Use any jam you prefer to fill these thumbprint cookies.
Properly measure the flour. 
Always use whole, organic ingredients when possible. 
Remember these bake twice in the oven, don’t forget to place them back in for 5 minutes after filling them with jam. 
Salted or unsalted butter works for this recipe. 
Use a small round kitchen tool like a teaspoon to make the “thumbprints” a perfect circle.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Thumbprint Cookies
Amount Per Serving (24 cookies)
Calories 200 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 80mg3%
Potassium 58mg2%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 260IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 18mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarandcharm or tag us #sugarandcharm!


8 Comments

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Comments

  1. Jen says

    January 27, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    5 stars
    These look like the perfect afternoon treat to make with my kids today. I’ll let the kids pick out and fill the jam. Can’t wait!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      January 27, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      Yay! Thank you Jen!!

      Reply
  2. Katie says

    January 27, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    These look like something I’d love. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      January 27, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      Thank you Katie 🙂

      Reply
  3. Allyson Zea says

    January 27, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    These cookies look super amazing!

    Reply
    • Eden says

      January 27, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      Thank you Allyson!!

      Reply
  4. Debbie Johnson says

    February 2, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    Do you think you could freeze these. Maybe do the first bake, then freeze. When ready to eat, take out for 15 mins or so, fill and bake for the last 5 minutes?

    Reply
    • Eden says

      February 2, 2021 at 11:55 pm

      You can probably freeze them and let them sit to room temp. They are best fresh though, they’re SO good!

      Reply

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Eden of Sugar and Charm

Adding a little charm to the everyday life with entertaining and lifestyle inspiration, sweet recipes and classic style… your daily dose of sugar and charm!

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