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Home » Blog » Recipes » Desserts

Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

by Donya Mullins 13 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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This post may contain affiliate links.

Classic Thumbprint Cookies with a sweet jam center are the perfect cookie to enjoy any time of the year! These cookies are buttery, fruity, and drizzled with just the right amount of sweet glaze.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies on a plate and a small green stand with strawberries.

Years ago, I published this recipe and so many readers loved it. It’s super easy, uses pantry ingredients, and perfect for anyone who’s learning to bake.

Even though it’s a much-beloved recipe, it kind of fell to the wayside until I was reminded how good it is. So, I brought it back with updated photos and instructions.

You may think of Thumbprint Cookies as a traditional treat served during the holidays. Well, I’m here to change your thinking! I love to make these pretty, delicious cookies in the spring but then again, I really like to make them any time.

Why You’ll Love these Cookies

  • They are buttery and melt in your mouth tender.
  • Have a sweet, fruity center.
  • They’re made like a classic shortbread cookie with just 4 simple ingredients.
  • Are perfect to serve during the holidays, parties, and family gatherings.
  • These cookies make the BEST homemade gift anytime you need to spread a little joy!
Thumbprint cookie dough in balls on a parchment lined baking sheet.

What You Need To Make Thumbprint Cookies

  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Fruit Preserves
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Milk or Water

This recipe is really, really easy. I use my stand mixer to make the dough and after it comes together, as a bonus, there’s no need to chill it.

To make the cookies, scoop out the dough using a #40 scoop, roll into a ball then make an indention, fill it will jam then bake. All that’s left to do is cool and drizzle on the glaze.

A Southern Soul Tip: to make the indention in the cookie, use your thumb, the bottom of a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon, or my favorite, the end of a wooden spoon.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies on a cooling rack drizzled with glaze from a spoon.

One of the most fun things about making these cookies is that you can change them up depending on the seasons or the flavors you like.

Filling Ideas For Thumbprint Cookies

  • Apricot Jam
  • Lemon or Lime Curd
  • Raspberry Jam
  • Bake the cookies with the “thumbprint” empty then insert a Chocolate Kiss immediately after removing them from the oven.

How To Store These Cookies

Store the baked Thumbprint Cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies on a white plate with stawberries.

More Yummy Cookie Recipes You’ll Love!

  • BEST Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies
  • Snowball Cookies
  • Coconut Macaroons
  • Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Last but not least…

If you make this Thumbprint Cookie recipe, be sure to leave a comment and a rating. I always love hearing from you! Also, if you make it, snap a pic and tag me on Instagram. I’d love to see your photo.

6 Jam Thumbprint Cookies on a small cake stand served with strawberries.
4.80 from 5 votes

Strawberry Jam Butter Cookies

Author: Donya Mullins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Print Pin Rate
Classic Thumbprint Cookies with a sweet jam center are the perfect cookie to enjoy any time of the year! These cookies are buttery, fruity, and drizzled with just the right amount of sweet glaze.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 cup room temperature butter – 2 sticks
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cups flour – sifted
  • strawberry preserves – you can use apricot or fig as well
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ***milk or water can be substituted***

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
  • Cream butter and sugar together with a hand or stand mixer until fluffy. Add egg yolk and mix well.
  • Slowly add flour, ½ cup at a time, and continue to mix – the dough will be thick and dense.
  • Using a spoon or a #40 scoop, form cookie dough into small balls. Place on prepared cookie sheets.
  • Using your thumb, or the bottom of a wooden spoon make an indention in the center of the cookie and fill it with preserves.
  • Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on the pan for 1 minute.
  • Remove from baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack.
  • Mix together confectioners sugar and lemon juice (milk or water.) Stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies.
  • Enjoy!
6 Jam Thumbprint Cookies on a small cake stand served with strawberries.
Did you make my Strawberry Jam Butter Cookies?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
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2 images of Jam Thumbprint cookies with text for Pinterest
Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Audrey

    October 6, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Can I freeze them with the jam in them

    Reply
    • Donya

      October 9, 2022 at 10:20 am

      Hey there Audrey!
      Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, these cookies are super simple to make and totally delicious! You can totally freeze these cookies to enjoy at a later date, even with the jam in them, just make sure to seal them up in an airtight container. I really hope you enjoy the recipe, thank you so much for your wonderful rating. If you ever have any other questions, feel free to reach out and ask!
      ~Donya

      Reply
  2. Marie

    March 1, 2021 at 7:13 pm

    Hi. These look so good! Do you use lemon juice in the drizzle or water or milk? It says one in the recipe and the other in the directions? Thanks

    Reply
    • Donya

      March 3, 2021 at 10:35 am

      Hey Marie!
      You can use any one of the three. Hope this helps.
      Have a great day,
      ~Donya

      Reply
  3. Sue Henderson

    February 22, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    What kind of flour did you use?? A cake flour….plain flour??

    Reply
    • Donya

      February 22, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      Hey Sue,
      I use regular all-purpose flour. Hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let me know what you think.
      Have a wonderful day,
      ~Donya

      Reply
      • Jane

        March 28, 2021 at 12:44 pm

        I noticed that in your ingredients it calls for lemon juice but in the directions no where is lemon juice mentioned.

        Reply
        • Donya

          March 28, 2021 at 3:40 pm

          Hey there Jane!
          Thank you for bringing this to my attention, the recipe has been corrected. The lemon juice does not actually go into the cookie, it is a substitute/option for making the drizzle. What you’ll want to do is combine the 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice with 2 cups of confectioners sugar to make your drizzle, but you can substitute milk or water in place of lemon juice if you prefer. Thank you for the rating, I hope you enjoy this recipe!
          ~Donya

          Reply
          • Angela Nakamoto

            December 21, 2021 at 1:29 am

            I doubled the recipe and my dough is crumbly to where when I put my spoon in for the indention gently it crumbled. Help please!

          • Donya

            December 21, 2021 at 8:36 am

            Hey there Angela!
            This is a common problem with these cookies so no worries, I am happy to help! These Thumbprint Cookies are essentially a version of a shortbread cookie, the only difference being that we’re adding egg yolk, so it’s going to be a naturally crumbly dough. If you’re dough is so crumbly that you cannot dent it, I would guess it’s because your butter was not fully at room temperature when you started this recipe. It’s important that your butter is fully at room temp so that the fat from the butter can soak into the flour to bind the cookie. If this happens again with the next batch you make you can add either another egg yolk or another tablespoon of soften butter to make it less crumbly, I’ve tried both and both ways work. Thank you for your interest in this recipe, I hope this helps! Happy Holidays!
            ~Donya

  4. Jules

    November 28, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Making.Them.Right.NOW. NomNomNom!

    Reply
  5. Roy R.

    May 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    "Strawberry jam butter cookies – Excellent snack or for after dinner!", Roy, Chief Sweets Tester.

    Reply
  6. The Happy Whisk

    May 18, 2013 at 2:02 am

    Very fun.

    Reply

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Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

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