Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie that's perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 1

Total Time 1 35

Servings

Calories 163kcal

Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies
1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup jam

Instructions

Place the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
Add the flour, baking soda and salt to the bowl. Beat until just blended.
Place the dough on a large sheet of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar.
Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
Use your thumb, the back of a teaspoon, or the round end of a pestle to make an indentation in each cookie. Be gentle as you make each indentation so that the cookies don't crack.
Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Place the trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
Bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Notes

Keep the dough cold when you roll it into balls. If the dough warms up, it can get sticky and the balls can become rough instead of smooth. You can place sticky dough in the fridge or freezer to chill if needed.
If you have trouble shaping the dough into balls, try putting a little cooking spray on your hands.

Nutrition