Red raspberry is a classic Christmas flavour and colour when you make Thumbprint Cookies. Kids young and old will enjoy making memories while baking.
Baking cookies is part of holiday magic. You can go off the beaten path and whip up some Vegan Chocolate Cookies so everyone can partake. If you want to go the extra mile, then Sourdough Sugar Cookies are just the ticket.
The kids will love making these as it's basically like playing with play dough. If yours are super young, feel free to mix the dough yourself but then let them roll and make the indents. They just love to feel like helpers, especially when they get to give these cookies as gifts! Pair them with a jar of Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix.
Key Ingredients
Flour - When I'm not using fresh ground flour, I like to use an organic unbleached all-purpose from the store. This is great to keep on hand for quick baked goods.
Sugar - This dough has just white sugar in it to keep the cookies light in colour and taste. Then of course we top them with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Butter - Salted or unsalted - I break rules all the time and just use whatever is in the freezer!
Jam - I like classic red jams like strawberry or seedless raspberry.
How to Make Jam Thumbprint Cookies
***See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.***
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add wet ingredients and mix.
Step 3: Add dry ingredients and combine.
Step 4: Cover and chill in the fridge.
Step 5: Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll into tight balls.
Step 6: Roll dough balls in granulated sugar to coat.
Step 7: Press indents into each cookie.
Step 8: Fill with jam of choice and bake.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a small cookie scoop to form the cookies, and it then works perfectly to make a round indent.
- You can place these quite close on the baking sheet as they won't spread from the shape you make, which saves you space and lets you get them all in the oven at once!
- Use a small spoon to add the jam to try and keep it nice and neat.
- Make sure the cookies are cooled before topping with powdered sugar or it will melt right in.
FAQs
Any jam will do, or a curd, or even hazelnut spread. Feel free to try out fun ice cream toppings such as Caramel Sauce. The best part is you can use up those odds and ends of jam in the fridge and make all different cookies at once.
Sometimes powdered sugar feels quite expensive for what it is, especially if you prefer organic options that don't have additives or cornstarch. It's super easy to just throw a large handful of granulated sugar in a high-powered blender and give it a bitz. Then you can use either a sifter or fine sieve to dust your cookies.
Photos by Dante from Shire by the Sea
More Christmas Cookie Recipes
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Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 120 grams butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 - 2 tablespoons water depending on dryness of dough
- 350 grams all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Finishing:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup raspberry or strawberry jam
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add in 1 tablespoon of water, vanilla, and egg and mix until incorporated.
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt into wet ingredients until just incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl to make sure everything is combined. Add more water if necessary to press dough together.
- Let dough chill, covered, for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In another bowl, add ¼ cup granulated sugar.
- Use a well rounded tablespoon and scoop out the dough and form into a tight little ball.
- Roll ball of cookie dough through granulated sugar and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Using a spoon or thumb, press an indentation in center until cookie is rounded out. Do this for remainder of dough.
- Add teaspoon of jam to each indentation.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Dust with “snowy” powdered sugar when cookies are at room temperature.
Notes
- Enjoy them immediately or store them in containers at room temperature for up to a week, or put them in freezer bags for longer freezer storage.
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