Description
Butter and Jam Thumbprints are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies filled with sweet fruit jam centers. This classic recipe combines the richness of shortbread with the brightness of raspberry, strawberry, or cherry jam for a delightful treat perfect for holidays, gifting, or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or 1/2 vanilla bean seeds)
- 1/3 cup raspberry, cherry, or strawberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and roll each in sugar.
- Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Press a thumb or the back of a teaspoon into the center of each ball to form an indentation.
- Fill each indentation with about 3/4 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, rotating the trays halfway through for even baking.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is warm to prevent spreading.
- Use thicker jams or preserves for best results.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Avoid overfilling the jam centers to prevent overflow during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Butter and Jam Thumbprints, thumbprint cookies, jam cookies, buttery shortbread cookies, raspberry jam cookies, holiday baking, easy cookie recipe