Easy Thumbprint Cookies
Easy homemade thumbprint cookies with fruit preserves. These buttery cookies feature a sweet jam center and are perfect for holidays or everyday treats. Ready in under 40 minutes!
Equipment
- oven
- baking sheet
- stand mixer or hand mixer
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- plastic wrap
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves, any flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture, beating on medium speed until well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; this helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Once chilled, unwrap the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie ball.
- Fill each indentation with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen fruit preserves.
- Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Let dough chill for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. Use any flavor of fruit preserves you like.