Jam Thumbprint Cookies are a classic Swedish treat made from simple, buttery dough, and has a sweet and fruity, gooey center.
These bright and simple jam cookies make the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays. Be sure to make other favorite Cookie Recipes like Molasses Cookies and Christmas Sugar Cookies to go with.
Why You’ll Love Jam Thumbprint Cookies?
- Combining a classic shortbread style cookie with a sweet fruity center makes for a wonderful combination.
- Made with basic pantry ingredients, these cookies are easy to prepare, and only need about 20 minutes to bake.
Sabrina’s Jam Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
These Jam Thumbprint Cookies are perfect and simple to make for a winter party or cookie exchange. The jam-filled centers give them a beautiful and colorful pop that will brighten up your gathering. If making a tray, I suggest Spritz, Gingerbread, and Christmas Pinwheel Cookies for a colorful and festive spread. Although I like making these cookies for the holidays, depending on the flavor of jelly you use, they can work well at any time. Read the Variations below for more ideas to serve these year round.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter , room temperature
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/3 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
Instructions
- To your stand mixer add the butter and sugar and cream on high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla extract and beat for 10 seconds until well combined.
- Sift together flour and salt, add to the stand mixer on the lowest speed setting until just combined.
- Add the dough to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll 1″ balls of dough and place on baking sheets.
- Using the bottom of a teaspoon, gently press an indent into the cookies about 1/2" deep.
- Add 1 teaspoon of jam, either raspberry or apricot to the indentation.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until just barely browning.
- Let cool 5 minutes before removing from the baking sheets.
Nutrition
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Chef’s Note
Chilling the dough in the refrigerator is a very important step, so don’t skip it. It helps firm up the butter so the cookies hold their shape, and won’t spread as much during the baking process. Also, when making the indentations, press gently to avoid cracking the dough around the edges.
Table of contents
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, if you’re only making them a few days in advance, then you can keep the Jam Thumbprint Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. However, they can be frozen for up to 6 months if made even further in advance.
How to Store
- Serve: To keep from drying out, don’t leave them at room temperature for more than a few hours at a time.
- Store: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Keep cookies between sheets of parchment paper so that jam doesn’t get on the bottom of the cookies layered on top.
- Freeze: First, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight freezer bag or another freezer container for up to 6 months.
Variations
- Caramel: Try using a salted caramel filling. Either melt store-bought caramel to put in the center, or make your own homemade Salted Caramel.
- Other fruit: The shortbread style dough pairs well with a variety of fruit flavors. Fill them with Lemon Curd, marmalade, strawberry, boysenberry, apple, or any jam that you can think of.
- Toppings: When you take them out of the oven, sprinkle on a light coating of sanding sugar or powdered sugar for a slightly more elevated presentation.
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