Go Back
–+ servings
Classic Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Classic Butter Thumbprint Cookies for Sweet Holiday Moments

Classic Butter Thumbprint Cookies are a must-try holiday treat, featuring a buttery shortbread base and your choice of jam.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter Ensures a rich, tender cookie; let it soften before mixing.
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar Adds sweetness and fluffy texture for the perfect cookie base.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Infuses warmth and enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Provides structure; swap with a gluten-free blend for an alternative.
  • 1 pinch Salt Balances sweetness; don’t skip this essential ingredient.
For the Filling
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fruit Jam Thick jams like raspberry or apricot are perfect to prevent runniness.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and ¾ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Incorporate 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt, mixing gently until just combined.
  4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart and create an indentation with your thumb.
  5. Spoon about ½ teaspoon of your favorite fruit jam into each indentation.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden, then let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes.
  7. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Avoid overworking the dough and use thick jams to prevent overflow during baking. Store cookies in an airtight container for optimal freshness.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!