Classic Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

You’re going to love this Easy Thumbprint Cookies recipe. The dough comes together quickly with no chilling required, and it’s easy to shape. The result is a tender, slightly crumbly cookie with a sweet jam center—perfect for holiday trays or everyday treats.

Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Thumbprint cookies are a timeless favorite. They’re simple, classic, and versatile—fill the centers with your favorite jam, lemon curd, or chocolate for different flavor variations.

If you’ve hesitated to make shortbread-style cookies because they sometimes need a lot of fuss—chilling, rolling, or finicky textures—this version is forgiving. The dough is straightforward to mix, holds its shape well, and bakes up light and buttery. These are especially great when you want something delicious without too much prep.

Pair them with a good raspberry jam for a classic combination, or swap in any jam you love.

Recipe Shopping List

Before you start, check your pantry with this quick grocery checklist so you know what to pick up.

Butter (salted, softened)
Granulated sugar
Egg yolks
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Salt
Raspberry jam (or jam of choice)
Powdered sugar
Heavy cream

How To Make This Recipe

The method is straightforward. Below is a concise overview followed by full ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cream the butter and granulated sugar in a mixer for about 5 minutes—longer than you might expect—to create a light, fluffy base.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add this to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Scrape the bowl as needed.
Form small balls of dough and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Press your thumb gently into each ball to create a shallow well for the jam.
Warm the jam briefly (15–20 seconds in the microwave) to make it easier to spoon into the centers.
Fill each thumbprint with a small spoonful of jam.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the bottoms and edges are just lightly golden.
Cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Once the cookies are cool (about 15–20 minutes), prepare a simple glaze: whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth. Pipe or drizzle the glaze over the cookies in a zig-zag pattern and let set.

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Yield: 40 cookies

Thumbprint Cookies with Jam

These light, airy cookies are perfectly sweet with a jam center and a thin glaze on top—great for cookie exchanges and holiday platters.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups salted butter, softened
1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
4 teaspoons vanilla (or 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons cornstarch (or 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raspberry jam (or jam of choice)

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cream butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until very light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed.
Add egg yolks and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt; add to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
Roll dough into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press a thumb into each ball to form a small well.
Warm the jam slightly and spoon into each well.
Bake 9–11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool briefly then transfer to a rack.
Allow cookies to cool 15–20 minutes before glazing.
For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with heavy cream and vanilla until smooth; pipe or drizzle over cooled cookies.

Nutrition Information (estimate)

Yield: 20 servings. Serving size: 1 cookie. Calories: ~430. Total Fat: ~20g. Saturated Fat: ~13g. Carbohydrates: ~58g. Protein: ~4g. (Nutrition is an estimate.)

Freaky Friday Cookie Exchange 2020 — Recipe Picks

Other cookies and treats featured at the exchange. These are included as inspiration for your holiday cookie trays.

Microwave Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge

Fudge is a great addition to any cookie platter and pairs well with many festive treats.

Fudgy Chocolate Caramel Brownies

Rich, fudgy brownies with caramel—an indulgent choice for a cookie exchange.

The Best Soft Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Soft, tender cookies that use pudding mix for extra chewiness and flavor.

Peppermint Chocolate Drop Cookies

Simple drop cookies with chocolate and peppermint for a festive twist.

Easy 1-Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Not a cookie, but a delightful baked treat you can have ready in about an hour.

Candy Coated Crispix Mix

A colorful, crunchy snack mix that’s great for kids and holiday parties.

Homemade Butter Cookies

Classic butter cookies that are festive and easy to decorate.

Mint Fudge Brownies

Mint and chocolate combine for a beautiful, delicious brownie.

Holiday Brownie Cookies

Brownie-style cookies topped with festive icing and decorations.

Homemade Buckeyes

Penut-butter-filled confections dipped in chocolate—an old-fashioned favorite for the holidays.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Two iconic treats combined: cookie dough and brownies for maximum decadence.

Last year for the cookie exchange I made some caramel pecan bites from a favorite blog, and over time I’ve shared recipes like French Onion Risotto, Air Fryer Shrimp, and Parmesan Halibut. This year I chose cookies from House of Nash Eats—her recipes are creative, beautifully photographed, and very inspiring.

I also plan to try a version of her candied walnuts on the pellet grill soon. Below is a curated list of outstanding Christmas cookie ideas from that site for more inspiration.