Thumbprint Cookies With Jam
These quick and easy thumbprint cookies are to die for once filled with tart jam! The sweetness of the dough plus the tanginess of jam just makes for a good match. They’re also a great treat for egg-free friends!
What Are Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies go by other names such as Jam Drop Cookies or Hallongrotta (meaning raspberry cave), so it can get confusing! These are simply delightful cookies filled with jam. Cookies filled with jam are my f a v o r i t e type of cookie; I just love jam with sweets. Even though most of the time they are jam thumbprint cookies, you can also fill this thumbprint cookie recipe with chocolate ganache, dulce de leche, and fruit curds!
The Origin of Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies come from Sweden who called them Hallongrotta which means “raspberry cave.” We obviously call them thumbprint cookies due to how you create that cave. Australians call them jam drop due to dropping the jam in the cave. Read just a tad more about them on wikipedia!
About the Ingredients
- Jam: Any flavor you’d like. One thing to keep in mind is that it shouldn’t be too runny or else it will absorb into the cookie, will somewhat evaporate in the oven, and be messy. Jelly also works as long as it is not runny.
Major Allergens Present: Gluten, dairy
About the Equipment
- Hand or stand mixer: This recipe uses the creaming method which is ideal for cookies and ideal with a machine to help. Of course you do not need a machine to cream as long as you don’t mind doing it by hand. With a machine, you will use the paddle for a stand mixer and beaters for a hand mixer.
How to Make Thumbprint Cookies:
Make the Dough:
This recipe uses a basic creaming method. A creaming method is creaming together the butter and sugar until fluffy. This adds air into the dough formed by the sugar crystals slicing through the butter. Second, the eggs and extracts are added, and finally adding the dry ingredients and liquids (if any) alternately. Many cakes and cookies use this method and is a foundation for baking. Know this method well. The key is to continuously scrape the bowl and attachment(s) before and after each addition of ingredients. This ensures all the ingredients are playing together cohesively.
Stick Your Thumb in it:
Can’t have a thumbprint cookie recipe without sticking your thumb in it! The essence of this cookie is the filling so you gotta create the hole for that. It’s more fun to use your finger but you can use something else to make the indentation. If you do use your thumb, I would suggest cutting your fingernails first. Make sure to make it deep enough so you get a good amount of jam, but not too deep where there is not a sturdy bottom. See my tips for thumbprinting!
Fill With Jam and Bake:
The best part of these cookies are the jam; that is the whole point! I use large sized piping bags I get online, but you can use the small ones from a craft store or a ziploc bag. You can also use a spoon but I find that to be messier. Make sure to not overfill where it is spilling out and use a firmer jam that’s not too runny. You definitely want to bake the cookies with the jam because it helps the jam set with the cookies.
Extra Tips and Tricks On for Successful Thumbprint Cookies:
How to Indent Thumbprint Cookies
Sticking your thumb in cookie batter is not rocket science, but I do have a few tips to make the process a wee bit easier.
- To prevent cracking when you stick your thumb, roll the cookie dough into a ball in your hands and warm it up. Slowly stick you thumb in right after rolling while it is still a bit warmed up.
- The deeper your thumbprint the more jam can go in. But too deep and you will not have a sturdy bottom.
- Don’t overfill your crevice otherwise it will be a mess in the oven!
How to Spice Up This Recipe:
- Swap out the jam for chocolate ganache or dulce de leche and fill after baking.
- Add some lemon zest to the cookie dough and fill with lemon curd after baking!
- Instead of a thumbprint, press a Hershey’s kiss in the center and bake as normal.
How to Store Thumbprint Cookies:
- Store jam thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
- Dough can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- You can freeze the thumbprint cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Troubleshooting Thumbprint Cookies:
- My dough is cracking when I print it! The dough is a little cold and set. Warm it up in your hands by rolling in a ball then slowly insert your thumb. A little cracking is okay!
- Some of my cookies spread in the oven! You did not cream the butter and sugar well enough. Make sure to be scraping the attachments and bowl so the butter and sugar mixes well with the dry ingredients.
- My jam is a huge mess! You may have chosen a too runny of a jam or overfilled. Ease up on the filling next time and/or choose a firmer jam.
Something else going wrong? Reach out and we will troubleshoot together!
Thumbprint Cookies
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 2 sticks Butter, unsalted
- 163 grams Light brown sugar
- 1 pinch Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 43 grams Whole milk
- 396 grams All purpose flour
- 113-170 grams Jam! Dealer's choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prep your sheet pan(s) with either parchment paper, a silicon baking mat, or just pan spray.
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle or hand mixer with beaters, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle as necessary.
- Add in the salt, vanilla, and milk and continue to cream on low speed until combined.
- Add in the flour and continue to cream on low speed just until a dough forms.
- Portion and roll into balls roughly an inch thick, and place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Press your thumb into the center of the dough ball. Not too much so that you go all the way through and not too little where there won’t be enough jam.
- Portion the jam into the thumb indentation. Don’t overfill!
- Bake for 15-17 minutes rotating halfway through until the edges start to turn brown. Allow to cool before devouring.
Notes
Nutrition
Would I be able to fill some of these with chocolate and some of them with jam? They look delish!
You can absolutely fill some with chocolate and some with JAM 🙂
These cookies were so good!
Thank you for making them!