These really are the Ultimate Best Thumbprint Cookies — buttery, soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and filled with glossy jam that doesn’t run. This is a bakery-perfect, no-fail recipe people come back to again and again. 🍓✨
🍪 Ultimate Best Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
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⅔ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg yolk (not the white)
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1½ tsp vanilla extract
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2¼ cups all-purpose flour
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¼ tsp salt
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½–¾ cup thick jam or preserves (raspberry, strawberry, apricot)
Optional (but amazing):
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½ cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
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Powdered sugar for dusting
Why This Recipe Is the Best
✔ Uses egg yolk only → richer, tender cookies
✔ Butter-forward flavor
✔ Dough doesn’t crack when pressed
✔ Jam stays perfectly in place
Instructions
1️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar
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Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
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Mix in egg yolk and vanilla.
2️⃣ Add Dry Ingredients
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Mix in flour and salt just until combined.
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Dough should be soft but not sticky.
3️⃣ Chill (Do Not Skip!)
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Cover and chill dough 30 minutes for perfect shape.
4️⃣ Shape
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
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(Optional) Roll in chopped nuts.
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Place on lined baking sheets.
5️⃣ Thumbprint
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Press center gently with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
6️⃣ Fill
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Spoon ½ teaspoon jam into each indent (don’t overfill).
7️⃣ Bake
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Bake 12–14 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
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Cool 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to rack.
⭐ Pro Bakery Tips
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Warm jam slightly so it fills smoothly.
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If cracks form, gently pinch dough back together.
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For extra flavor, add ½ tsp almond extract with vanilla.
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Dust cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a classic look.
🍫 Variations
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Chocolate Thumbprints: Fill with ganache instead of jam
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Lemon Curd Thumbprints: Bright and tangy
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Holiday Version: Roll dough in red & green sugar
If you want, I can also give you:
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No-chill version
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Jam-proof freezing tips
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5 gourmet thumbprint fillings