Jam Thumbprint Cookies
This recipe creates classic jam thumbprint cookies with a rich, buttery base and a delightful coconut crust. The dough is easy to prepare, chilled, then rolled, coated in coconut, indented, and filled with your favorite jam before baking. A perfect treat for any occasion, these cookies offer a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Equipment
- 1 Electric Mixer With paddle attachment for creaming butter and sugar effectively.
- 1 Fine-Mesh Sifter For sifting flour and salt to ensure a smooth dough.
- 2 Baking Sheets Ungreased, for baking the cookies.
- 2 Small Mixing Bowls For preparing the egg wash and holding the coconut.
- 1 Kitchen Scale For precise portioning of dough balls to ensure uniform cookies.
Ingredients
Main
- 3/4 pound 3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
- 7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
- Raspberry and/or apricot jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined and then add the vanilla. Separately, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. (If you have a scale they should each weigh 1 ounce.) Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your finger. Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool and serve.
Notes
Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature for optimal creaming; this creates a light, airy base for your cookies. When incorporating the flour, mix only until just combined to avoid overdeveloping the gluten, which can lead to tough cookies. The chilling step is crucial for dough manageability and preventing spread during baking. For the jam, opt for a good quality, thicker preserve, as thinner jams can bubble over and burn. Monitor the cookies closely in the last few minutes of baking; coconut can go from golden to burnt quickly. For an elevated flavor profile, consider adding a hint of almond extract alongside the vanilla or experimenting with different fruit curds for filling.