Thumbprint Cookies are a classic, crowd-favorite holiday dessert! Traditionally filled with any number of delicious jams and baked to soft, fluffy perfection, this easy Christmas cookie recipe takes only 30 minutes to make.

Looking for more holiday cookies recipes? Try my No Bake Chocolate Cookies, Brownie Cookies, or my Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies!

thumbprint cookies filled with different flavors of jam, arrange on a white plate
Kelley Simmons Kelley’s Tips

Before You Get Started

  • Use softened butter! Make sure your butter is not too soft and not too hard! The perfect softened butter temperature is 67 degrees! You should be able to lightly press an indentation into the butter with your finger.
  • Measure flour correctly: This can make such a HUGE difference in cookies! To properly measure flour scoop flour into a measuring cup then level it off with a knife.
Kelley
thumbprint cookies filled with different flavors of jam, arrange on a white plate

Thumbprint Cookie Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Granulated sugar
  • Egg yolk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt
  • All purpose flour
  • Jam or preserves

Have leftover thumbprint dough? Then make my Mini Fruit Tarts! I used the same dough to make the cookie tarts!

thumbprint cookies filled with different flavors of jam, arrange on a white plate

How to make Thumbprint Cookies

  1. Cream butter and sugar. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. This should take 4-5 minutes.
creaming butter and sugar in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment
  1. Add wet ingredients. Add in one egg yolk and vanilla extract, then mix until combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
adding egg and vanilla to creamed sugar and butter
thumbprint cookie dough batter in stand mixer
  1. Add dry ingredients. Next add in the salt and flour, and mix until the dough is completely combined. You don’t have to worry about over mixing this dough, but it is SUPER important that all of the flour and butter is completely mixed before rolling the cookies. PRO TIP: It will look dry and crumbly that is ok!
  2. Separate the dough into cookie rounds. Form dough into 1 tablespoon balls and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Using either you thumb or a 1/2 teaspoon, press indentations in the center of each cookie.
making indentations in thumbprint cookies
adding strawberry jam to thumbprint cookies
  1. Add jam. Fill each cookie with 1/2 tsp of your favorite jam or preserves. We did strawberry, blueberry and apricot jam, but you can use any that you prefer!
unbaked thumbprint cookies on baking sheet
baked thumbprint cookies
  1. Bake. Place your cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies look set and are slightly golden brown. If you have the time, it’s always better to cook just one tray at a time so that the cookies bake more evenly.
  2. Cool and serve. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet or a cooling rack, then enjoy!
thumbprint cookies filled with different flavors of jam, arrange on a baking sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time and freeze?

Definitely! To make these thumbprint cookies ahead of time, I would recommend prepping the dough, adding the “thumbprint” indentation, and then freezing. Then, when you’re ready to serve, you can bake and add the jam without having to prep the dough.

How do I store my finished cookies?

Oh, you have leftovers?? Once fully baked, it’s best to store your delicious thumbprint cookies in an airtight container to keep as fresh as possible.

How can i switch it up?

For this recipe, I used strawberry, blueberry and apricot jam, but you can use literally any flavor of jam or preserves that you like! I always like to make a few variations, not just so there are more flavors to enjoy, but to vary the color and presentation as well.

Not a jam fan? That’s totally fine! You can make these Peanut Butter Blossoms-style and add a chocolate filling instead. To do this, melt chocolate down in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or you can get super fancy and try double boiling some chocolate to use.

thumbprint cookies filled with different flavors of jam, arrange on a baking sheet

Here are more delicious cookie recipes to try!

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    Recipe

    Thumbprint Cookies

    5 from 5 votes
    Thumbprint Cookies are a classic, crowd-favorite holiday dessert! Traditionally filled with any number of delicious jams and baked to soft, fluffy perfection, this easy Christmas cookie recipe takes only 30 minutes to make.
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Serves 24 cookies
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
      In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes.
    • Add in egg yolk and vanilla and mix until combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Next add in the salt and flour and mix until the dough is completely combined. You don't have to worry about over mixing this dough. It is important that all of the flour and butter is completely mixed before rolling the cookies. (It will look dry and crumbly that is ok!)
    • Form dough into 1 tablespoon balls and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Using either you thumb or a 1/2 teaspoon press indentations in the center of each cookie.
    • Fill each cookie with 1/2 tsp of your favorite jam or preserves. We did strawberry, blueberry and apricot jam.
    • Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies look set and look slightly golden brown.
    • Allow cookies to cool completely on cookie sheet then enjoy!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

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