Fruity Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Buttery, tender cookies filled with fruit preserves—perfect for teatime or festive treats.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large egg yolks
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Filling

07 - 1/2 cup assorted fruit jams or preserves

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until well combined.
04 - Add the flour and salt; mix until a soft dough forms.
05 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
06 - Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
07 - Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
08 - Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These cookies are impossibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth, the kind that make people ask what your secret is
  • The jam centers burst with fruit flavor that balances the rich, buttery dough perfectly
  • They look stunning on a platter but require zero fancy decorating skills
02 -
  • If your dough balls crack when making thumbprints, let them warm up slightly for a minute or two before trying again
  • Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape better in the oven
  • The jam continues bubbling after you remove the cookies from the oven, so underfill slightly
03 -
  • Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for even golden edges
  • Use a 1-teaspoon measuring spoon to make thumbprints instead of your thumb for uniform centers

Return