Description
Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect festive treat: tender, buttery, and irresistibly chewy with a jam-filled center. This classic holiday cookie comes together quickly and bakes to delicate golden edges. They’re ideal for cookie trays, gifting, and party platters, delivering warmth and cheer with every bite. Makes 24 soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies; try raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam. Store airtight for days of seasonal savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup jam or preserves of choice
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to gently press an indent into the center of each cookie.
- Fill each indent with a small spoonful of jam.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill dough 20–30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Use thick jam or preserves for best filling; warm slightly if too thick to spread.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for festive presentation, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx.)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies, Christmas cookies, thumbprint cookies, jam-filled cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe, chewy cookies, butter cookies, festive cookies, giftable cookies