Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies with their fruity, jam-filled centers are a Christmas tradition in my family. The cookies are tender, buttery, and coated with chopped walnuts. Use a range of your favorite preserves (like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry) to add variety and color to each batch of cookies.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Snack

Cuisine south american

Servings 24 people

Calories 2251.7 kcal

Equipment

1 Mixing Bowls
1 Hand or Stand Mixer For creaming butter and sugar effectively.
2 Cookie Sheets
1 Wire Cooling Rack Essential for proper cooling and preventing soggy bottoms.
1 Measuring spoons/cups

Ingredients

Main

1 large egg separated, divided
½ cup butter softened
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
⅔ cup any flavor fruit jam

Instructions

Gather ingredients. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease two cookie sheets and set aside.
Whisk egg white in a small bowl. Place chopped walnuts in another small bowl. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Cream butter, brown sugar, and egg yolk in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Add flour, vanilla, and salt; mix until well combined. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Scoop dough into 1 ½-inch balls. Dip in egg white, then roll in walnuts until coated. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Bake in the preheated oven until slightly puffed, about 5 minutes.
Remove cookies from the oven. Use your thumb or the end of a wooden spoon to gently press an indent in the center of each cookie. Spoon jam into each thumbprint, filling it to the brim. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Return cookies to the oven and bake until set, about 8 minutes. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty
Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

Notes

For optimal texture, ensure butter is truly softened, not melted, to properly cream with the sugar. When forming balls, aim for uniform size for even baking. The egg white dip helps walnuts adhere and adds a slight crispness; don't over-dip. Filling the jam to the brim after the initial bake prevents it from drying out or sinking too much during the final baking phase. Experiment with high-quality, vibrant jams for visual appeal and varied flavor profiles. A slightly tart jam can perfectly balance the buttery cookie.