Description
Delightful colorful thumbprint cookies bring whimsy and nostalgia to holiday baking with their playful jam-filled centers. Crisp buttery edges and sweet fruity centers make these treats irresistible when you share them with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping and Filling:
- Assorted fruit preserves or jam (e.g., strawberry, apricot, raspberry)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough. Gently incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract, stirring until the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Gradually fold in flour and salt, mixing carefully to develop a tender, cohesive dough that holds its shape without becoming tough.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for even heat distribution and easy cookie removal.
- Craft uniform dough balls approximately 1 inch in diameter, positioning them evenly across the baking sheets with sufficient spacing to prevent merging during baking.
- Create gentle indentations in each cookie using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, forming a perfect pocket for jam filling.
- Delicately spoon vibrant jam into the center of each cookie’s indentation, selecting flavors that will provide a burst of color and taste.
- Slide the prepared baking sheets into the preheated oven, allowing cookies to bake until the edges turn a delicate golden hue, typically requiring 12-15 minutes of baking time.
- Remove cookies from the oven and permit them to rest briefly on the baking sheet, which helps them set and prevents crumbling.
- Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop their final texture.
- Finish the cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar, creating an elegant, festive appearance that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize jammy centers by using various fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or even chocolate spread for different flavor profiles.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature to create a smooth, creamy dough that blends easily and prevents tough cookies.
- Roll dough balls gently to maintain a soft, tender texture and prevent overworking the mixture which can make cookies dense.
- Make gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delicate cookie consistency.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg