Description
These classic Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, tender, and filled with your favorite fruit preserves or jam. Perfectly crisp around the edges with a soft, sweet center, they make a delightful treat for any occasion or holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves or jam of choice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture, which helps create a tender cookie.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly, ensuring that they are completely incorporated for flavor and texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to gently press an indentation into the center of each ball without breaking through the dough.
- Fill Indentations: Spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen fruit preserves or jam into each thumbprint indentation, filling them generously but avoiding overflow during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still tender.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing them from breaking apart.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure smooth mixing and a soft dough texture.
- You can substitute the fruit preserves with chocolate chips or nut butter for a different twist.
- Ensure not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- For a more uniform shape, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling into balls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
