Classic thumbprint cookies are a sweet and simple Christmas cookie that are made with powdered sugar and your favorite jams. Indulge in the sweet almond and buttery flavor as they melt in you mouth with perfection!
Ahh, Christmas. The time of year where we’re meant to eat, drink, and be merry. I tend to focus most on the eat part which makes the be merry part easy.
I think it’s very possible that I eat probably half my body weight in cookies each Christmas season and I have no shame in that.
And at least a quarter of those cookies are these classic thumbprints.
You seriously can’t go wrong with them. They’re soft. They’re sweet. They’re melt in your mouth perfection. In other words, they’re definitely one of my favorites.
Whether you’re baking cookies for Santa (aka for yourself…because you can be your own Santa and treat yourself), baking for a cookie exchange, or simply doing your annual family shenanigans in the kitchen, these cookies are a must bake.
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Tips for Perfect Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Tip #1
You can use any milk you want for this. I’ve used coconut milk, cow’s milk, and almond milk in the past and they all work well.
Tip #2
This dough is a little like Play Doh. It’s soft and squishy but easily moldable.
When your roll your dough balls make sure that they are perfect little spheres.
So when you press your thumb or a measuring spoon into the centers, gently reshape your dough to keep it circular. This will prevent them from becoming a wonky mess in the oven.
(Ps. I do like using a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon to ensure an equal size. If you’re in the market for some new fancy spoons, check these out. They’re magnetic which means you lose them less and they’re easy to grab and store).
You can dip your finger in a bit of milk to smooth out the edges and cracks after you press your thumb in to make sure that these are extra smooth. That would make you an overachiever because ain’t no body got time for that.
Tip #3
Fill your centers to the top of the hole. No more, no less. Overfilling will make a sticky overflowing mess. Underfilling is just, well, underwhelming.
Tip #4
Don’t skip the chill time. I know, I know we are creature that love instant gratification.
But you know, instant gratification is nice when it isn’t replaced by severe disappointment.
No chilling = melted, sloppy puddles of hot jam, butter, and sugar. Disappointment isn’t fun to eat. (Many of us eat disappointment every Christmas already listening to our families talk about politics, why would you want it in a cookie)?!
Chilling = sexy classic thumbprint cookies. Sexy cookies are worth the wait.
Tip #5
Turn your cookie sheet halfway through to make sure you have even color on every side.
Tip #6
Let these bishes cool before eating. Lemme say that again. Let these cookies cool before eating.
As tempting as it is to eat warm cookies straight from the oven, girl you will burn your f*cking mouth off.
That jam is molten lava when it comes out.
(Also, the flavors get stronger and I think the cookie is better cooler. Especially when you haven’t burnt your tastebuds off).
Let’s Bake Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Melt In Your Mouth Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Butter unsalted, room temperature
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 cups Flour
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Almond Extract
- ½ cup Jam
- 1 tbsp Milk
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Beat your butter until smooth. Slowly combine your powdered sugar. Cream together until smooth and creamy.
- Add your almond extract, flour, and salt. Mix until just combined. Form the dough into a ball, cover, and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Roll your dough into tablespoon sized balls. Place them on your baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Use your thumb or a round measuring spoon and press a circle in the middle of the cookies. Fill the centers with jam. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Using a mesh strainer, sprinkle the powdered sugar over the tops of the cool cookies and enjoy!
- Store any extras in an air tight container (if there's even any left).
Notes
Nutrition
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Final Notes…
Just imagine eating these next to a cozy fire, with a hot cup of tea, and a blizzard roaring outside…sounds like a dream, right?
I don’t know about making the blizzard and fire is a possibility for you but you can at least make some of that dream come true now by eating these classic thumbprint cookies!
So once you’ve made some these melt in your mouth classic thumbprint cookies, make sure you take a picture, post it on Instagram, and make sure to tag me (@thefulfillmentpill) for a special shout out!
I love seeing you creations and really, if you don’t post it on Instagram, did it even happen?
Sharing is caring! Do you know someone who would needs this amazing cookie recipe? Share it with them!
See you soon, friends!
xoxo,
Angel
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