Delightfully sweet and effortlessly charming, these classic Thumb Cookies are the ultimate treat for any occasion. Featuring a tender, buttery shortbread base and a jewel-like center of your favorite jam or jelly, they strike the perfect balance between simplicity and elegance. Made with pantry staples like unsalted butter, sugar, and flour, these cookies come together in just 15 minutes of prep time, making them a quick, yet impressive dessert option. The highlight of this recipe is the thumbprint technique, which creates a charming well to hold the delicious jam filling—customizable to your taste with options like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry. Baked to golden perfection, these crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are guaranteed to be a hit at holiday gatherings, tea parties, or as an everyday indulgence. Serve them with a cozy cup of coffee or tea for a delightful homemade treat that everyone will adore.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add the vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing gently until the dough comes together.
Using a tablespoon or small scoop, form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a small indentation in the center of each dough ball. Be careful not to press all the way through.
Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam or jelly of your choice.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your thumb cookies with a warm cup of tea or coffee!
Calories |
2500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.4 g | 126% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.4 g | 282% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 652 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 391.0 g | 142% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.1 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 179.8 g | ||
| Protein | 25.9 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 75 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 11.6 mg | 64% | |
| Potassium | 388 mg | 8% | |
*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.