The Best Jam Thumbprint Cookie Recipe


Cookies No Seed Oils Gluten Free High Altitude | Published April 17, 2024 by Mimi Council

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I’m sharing the best Jam Thumbprint Cookie recipe to make any kind of jam thumbprints you like! Strawberry, apricot, blueberry, and more. This post shares a simple base recipe that you can fill with any flavor of jam you like!

If you’re looking for more cookie recipes try my Earl Grey Sandwich Cookies, No Chill Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, or Sourdough Jam Thumbprint Cookies.

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Jam thumbprints are one of my top five favorite cookies for sure. They were something that I didn't get to eat often as a child so I put them up on a pedestal. My best friend (and next door neighbor) always had them at her house around Christmas time. Her mom would conveniently pick up a box from a local bakery to have around the holidays. And, I always reveled in the buttery, sweet, strawberry filled cookie!

So, I've created these easy thumbprint cookies that taste just like the ones I had as a child! I make these easy thumbprint cookies all the time now, not just around the holidays. The best part about this recipe is you can fill them with any flavor jam or preserves so they can be made year round. That's just one of the reasons why I think this this the best Jam Thumbprint Cookie recipe!

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Base Recipe: This recipe for simple thumbprint cookies is an easy base recipe that you can use for any flavor of jam thumbprint cookies. You can add in any flavor of jam you like making this recipe super adaptable! 

Adaptable: These simple thumbprint cookies can be made gluten free with just one simple adjustment. They can also be made at high altitude or at sea level. These thumbprint cookies with glaze are a perfect cookie recipe to have in your recipe box for when you’re craving buttery, soft jam thumbprint cookies. 

Buttery & Sweet: This is the absolute best Jam Thumbprint Cookie recipe ever. I’ve tested this with raspberry jam, apricot, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, cranberry and more. These thumbprint cookies with glaze are buttery and sweet thanks the the addition of the glaze. I think glaze is a must on these simple thumbprint cookies! 

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Ingredients

  • Butter: I use Organic Valley Salted Butter, this is the base of these easy thumbprint cookies. So, make sure to use a high quality butter that you like.
  • Cane Sugar: I use organic cane sugar.
  • Vanilla Extract: My favorite is Simply Organic, be sure to use a high quality vanilla you like the flavor of.
  • Eggs: I use organic large eggs. Using eggs that are too small can result in dry cookies, eggs that are too big can result in flat cookies.
  • All Purpose Flour: My favorite is Cairnspring Mills.
  • Jam or Preserves: The best thing about these simple thumbprint cookies is you can use any flavor of jam or preserves! Blueberry, apricot, and strawberry are favorite choices of mine!
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Tools Needed

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woman sharing cookies with pug in kitchen
blackberry lemonade thumbprint cookies

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle at­tachment, add the butter, cane sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined, then set a timer for 5 minutes and mix until the mix­ture is light in color and fluffy.

Add the egg, and mix until combined. Add the flour, and mix on low until combined into a smooth dough.

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Step 3

Using your hands, form the dough into 30 balls and place on the prepared cookie sheets. Press your thumb into the center to create an indent. Fill with jam.

Step 4

Refrigerate the cookie sheets for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Step 5

Bake for 19 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bot­tom. Let cool completely on the cookie sheets. (If you’re baking at high altitude, be sure to check the Notes at the bottom of the recipe for high altitude baking instructions).

Step 6

To make the glaze: In medium mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and water. Drizzle over the tops of the cookies.

how to make apricot jam
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

Flavor Ideas

  • Strawberry: Use Strawberry Jam
  • Blueberry Ginger: Add 1/4 teaspoon of ginger to the dough and use Blueberry Jam
  • Blackberry: Use Blackberry Jam
  • Apricot: Fill with Apricot Jam
  • Raspberry: Use Raspberry Jam
  • Cranberry Orange: Cranberry Jam
  • Peach: Use Peach Jam
  • Mixed Berry: use Mixed Berry Jam
  • Blackberry Lemonade: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough and fill with blackberry jam
  • Raspberry Lemonade: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough and fill with raspberry jam
blackberry lemonade thumbprint cookies
blackberry lemonade thumbprint cookies

Baker's Tips

  • Make sure your butter is soft. I prefer to let butter soften out on the counter as it softens the best! 
  • Use a good quality apricot jam. If you're not making your own, then make sure you get a good one. This is where a lot of the flavor will come from!
  • Make sure to refrigerate your cookie sheets. This helps the cookies hold their shape once baked. Thumbprints are a dense little cookie, so this is why refrigerating is an important step.
  • Thumbprint cookies are a dense and buttery cookie. So these should not be stored in an airtight container or they may get soggy. Make sure to store them in a cool dry place.
best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

FAQ’s

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, thumbprints are a great cookie to bake ahead if you need to. Bake them the day before and just allow them to sit on the baking sheet overnight. This will allow the glaze to harden. Since these are butter cookies, they should also be stored in a cool dry place. 

Can I make this recipe gluten free?

Yes, there’s a simple adjustment gluten free in the Notes at the bottom of the recipe. I even link the flour I used to test this with.

Can I leave the glaze off?

Yes, if you prefer, you can leave the glaze off. I believe thumbprint cookies with glaze is the only way to eat them, but that’s just me! 

How do you store jam thumbprint cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are a butter cookie, so they need to be stored in a cool dry place. I prefer to just leave them out on a platter on the counter for a few days while we eat them. 

blackberry lemonade thumbprint cookies

Craving More?

best jam thumbprint cookie recipe

The Best Jam Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Mimi Council
This is the best Jam Thumbprint Cookie Recipe! These simple thumbprint cookies can be made with any jam flavor filling you like. Have fun creating your own flavors of these thumbprint cookies with glaze!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 19 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 4 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 30 cookies
Calories 159 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

Filling

  • 170 grams preserves or jam

Glaze

Instructions
 

  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle at­tachment, add the butter, cane sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined, then set a timer for 5 minutes and mix until the mix­ture is light in color and fluffy.
  • Add the egg, and mix until combined. Add the flour, and mix on low until combined into a smooth dough.
  • Using your hands, form the dough into 30 balls and place on the prepared cookie sheets. Press your thumb into the center to create an indent. Fill with jam.
  • Refrigerate the cookie sheets for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Bake for 19 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bot­tom. Let cool completely on the cookie sheets.
  • To make the glaze: In medium mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and water. Drizzle over the tops of the cookies.
  • Store in a cool dry place for up to 3 days.

Notes

Gluten Free — Replace the organic flour with 397 grams (2 ½ cups plus 1 tablespoon) gluten free flour blend.
High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottom.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 197IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
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