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Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of holiday baking! These Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are a timeless classic, perfect for spreading cheer. With their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base and vibrant jammy centers, they bring a touch of nostalgia to any festive gathering. Simple to make and utterly irresistible, these cookies are a cherished tradition.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
These delightful Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are truly special, making them a holiday favorite.
- The recipe is incredibly simple and straightforward, perfect for beginner bakers.
- They’re an ideal choice for holiday cookie exchanges, always a crowd-pleaser.
- Every bite features a delicious, tender shortbread base that melts in your mouth.
- The vibrant, sweet jam filling adds a burst of fruity flavor and festive color.
- Kids love to help roll the dough and make the signature thumbprint indentations.
- These charming cookies bring warmth and cheer to any Christmas dessert platter.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your beautiful Christmas Thumbprint Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup raspberry jam (or your favorite flavor)
Notes & Substitutions
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter softened to room temperature for the best texture. It creams smoothly with sugar.
- Brown Sugar: This adds a wonderful richness and slight chewiness to the cookies, complementing the jam.
- Egg Yolk: The egg yolk contributes to the cookies’ tenderness and richness without making them too dry.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for flavor, a good quality vanilla enhances all the other ingredients.
- Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly for this classic shortbread base.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and jam, enhancing all the flavors.
- Jam: Raspberry jam is traditional and lovely, but feel free to substitute with strawberry, apricot, or cherry preserves.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools for these delicious cookies. Here’s what will make baking a breeze:
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or a hand mixer.
- Large mixing bowls for wet and dry ingredients.
- Standard measuring cups and spoons.
- Two baking sheets.
- Parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- A wire cooling rack.
- A small spoon or a 1/2 teaspoon measure for filling with jam.
Instructions
Baking these delightful Christmas Thumbprint Cookies is a fun and easy process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Cream Butter and Brown Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and packed brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale, usually about 2-3 minutes. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Add the single egg yolk and the vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat again until just combined, ensuring the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. This ensures even distribution of the salt throughout the dough.
- Gradually Add Dry to Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Add about a third at a time, allowing it to incorporate before adding more.
- Mix Until Just Combined: Mix until the dough just comes together and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. The dough will be soft but manageable.
- Roll Dough into Balls: Roll the dough into small, uniform 1-inch balls. Aim for consistent size to ensure even baking. You should get about 15 cookies from this batch.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread slightly without touching.
- Initial Bake: Bake the cookie dough balls in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. This helps set the shape before adding the jam.
- Make Thumbprint Indentations: Carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven. Using your thumb, the back of a rounded measuring spoon, or a small spatula, gently make an indent in the center of each partially baked cookie. Make sure the indent is deep enough to hold the jam without going through the bottom.
- Fill with Jam: Using a small spoon, carefully fill each indentation with about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen raspberry jam. Don’t overfill, as it might bubble over.
- Return to Oven and Bake: Return the cookies to the oven and continue baking for another 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the jam is bubbly and set.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the Christmas Thumbprint Cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies
Achieving beautiful and delicious holiday thumbprint cookies is easy with a few simple tricks.
- Ensure Butter is Softened Properly: Room temperature butter creams better, resulting in a smoother, more tender dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Research suggests that overmixing can activate gluten in flour, leading to a tougher cookie texture.
- Chill Dough Briefly: If your dough feels too soft to roll, pop it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Dust Hands with Flour: Lightly flour your hands before rolling the dough balls to prevent sticking.
- Use the Back of a Measuring Spoon: A 1/2 teaspoon or 1 teaspoon measuring spoon creates perfectly uniform indents.
- Re-indent if Cookies Puff Up: If your indents start to disappear while baking, gently press them again after 5-7 minutes.
- Don’t Overfill with Jam: Use just enough jam to fill the indentations without overflowing.
- Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed for golden edges.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
These charming Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are versatile and easy to customize.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these festive cookies fresh from the oven or once fully cooled. Arrange them beautifully on a holiday platter alongside other festive treats. They pair wonderfully with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. These jam cookies also make delightful homemade gifts when packed in decorative tins for friends and family.
Storage Instructions
Once completely cooled, store your Christmas thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for 3-5 days. For optimal freshness, place parchment paper between layers.
Freezing Instructions
You can easily freeze these cookies to enjoy later. Freeze unbaked dough balls by arranging them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Flavor Variations
- Jam Flavors: Experiment with strawberry, apricot, cherry, or even blueberry jam for different fruit notes.
- Chocolate: For a decadent twist, fill the indents with melted chocolate or a rich chocolate ganache after baking.
- Nut Butter: Try filling with a small dollop of peanut butter or almond butter for a nutty twist.
- Citrus: Lemon curd or orange curd makes for a bright, tangy alternative to jam.
- Nuts: Roll the dough balls in finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds before making the indent and baking.
- Glaze: Drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple powdered sugar glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of these delightful Christmas Thumbprint Cookies. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 30mg |
| Total Carbs | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximately 15 cookies per batch)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why do my thumbprint cookies spread too much? This often happens if your butter was too warm, the dough wasn’t chilled, or you overmixed the dough. Ensure ingredients are at the right temperature.
- Can I use homemade jam for thumbprint cookies? Absolutely, homemade jam is often preferred for its fresh flavor and sometimes thicker consistency. It makes these festive cookies even more special.
- How do I prevent the jam from bubbling over? Avoid overfilling the indentations. Using a slightly thicker jam or preserves can also help prevent spillage.
- Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature slightly before rolling.
- What if I don’t have a stand mixer? A hand mixer works perfectly fine for creaming butter and sugar. You can also mix the dough by hand with a sturdy spoon or spatula.
- Are these suitable for a cookie exchange? They are an absolute classic and a beloved favorite at any holiday cookie exchange! These Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are always a hit.
Conclusion
Baking a batch of homemade Christmas Thumbprint Cookies truly captures the simple joy of the holiday season. Their delightful buttery flavor combined with sweet, fruity jam centers makes them a treat everyone adores. These festive cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly fun to make and share with loved ones. Embrace the holiday spirit by whipping up these charming, easy-to-make treasures for your next celebration!
