Description
Thumbprint Cookies are buttery, tender shortbread-style cookies filled with sweet jam centers. Made with cream cheese for extra softness, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for holidays, gatherings, or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (120g) apricot or mixed fruit jam
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
- 5 oz (140g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the jam with lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and optional orange blossom water. Beat until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls (about 18g each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to press an indentation into the center of each ball.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and gently press the centers again if needed.
- Fill each indentation with about 1 teaspoon of jam.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Do not overfill the cookies with jam to prevent spilling during baking.
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for best texture.
- You can freeze the dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Try different jam flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or blackberry for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 89 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 67 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg