Description
Classic Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, soft, and lightly sweetened cookies with a delightful jam center. Perfect for tea time or holiday treats, these cookies offer a tender crumb with a burst of fruity flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Filling
- 1/2 cup Jam or preserves (choose your favorite flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature before baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly to incorporate moisture and enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough forms and no dry flour remains.
- Shape Dough Balls. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick liner.
- Create Thumbprints. Press your thumb or the back of a spoon gently into the center of each dough ball to create a small well.
- Fill with Jam. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen jam or preserves into each thumbprint indentation.
- Bake. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookie edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve. Enjoy your classic thumbprint cookies with tea or coffee, or as a delightful snack any time of day.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry work particularly well.
- Do not overfill the thumbprints to prevent jam from spilling over while baking.
- For firmer cookies, chill the dough before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
