Brighten your holiday table with these delightful Thimble Cookies Christmas Cookies, a timeless treat that’s as charming as it is delicious! These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies feature a signature thumbprint (or thimble-made!) indentation filled with your favorite fruit preserves, such as raspberry, apricot, or strawberry, for a pop of color and festive flavor. With just a handful of pantry staples and a prep time of 20 minutes, these cookies are easy to make but look stunningly elegant. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy, holiday-inspired finish, making them perfect for cookie exchanges, dessert platters, or gifting. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a cozy evening at home, these classic Christmas cookies are sure to delight.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Scoop out small portions of dough, about 1 tablespoon each, and roll them into smooth balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Using your thumb, the back of a spoon, or a thimble, gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie dough ball, being careful not to press all the way through.
Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen jam or fruit preserves.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies tender.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optionally, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a festive finish.
Serve and enjoy, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Calories |
142 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.8 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.9 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 21 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 22 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16.9 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.0 g | ||
| Protein | 1.1 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 4 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 16 mg | 0% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.