Thumbprint Cookies Classic Recipe

These thumbprint cookies are a classic recipe you’ll love. Perfectly buttery and filled with your choice of jam – and great for any occasion including Christmas!

I’ll never forget the first time I tried a thumbprint cookie. Okay maybe it wasn’t the first ever, but it’s the first time I remember.

I’m originally from Seattle and when I was young, we used to visit Pike Place Market every weekend for two things (minimum).

One was the German butcher where my dad would get landjäger and delicious meats . . . and the other was the Three Sisters Bakery, where we would get desserts.

Everyone had their favorites at the bakery, ranging from turnovers to dessert bars to muffins to brownies. Mine? The thumbprint cookies.

A recent visit back to Seattle reminded me about the good ol’ days, as I walked through the market and thought about those cookies (I didn’t get one because the line was too long – sad face).

I decided it was time to make a classic jam thumbprint cookie recipe that I would love – and that you would too!

We’ve tried recipes like chocolate thumbprints, red velvet, lemon blueberry . . . but never classic jam. And there’s no time like the present, right?

These cookies have a delightfully crumbly, buttery base that practically melts in your mouth.

The center of the cookie holds a dollop of jam that is just the right amount of sweet—enough to complement the buttery flavor without overpowering it.

The contrast between the tender cookie and the slightly sticky filling is pure joy. These are absolutely perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges. Or just eating while watching a Lifetime holiday movie.

Here’s what you’re going to need for these thumbprint cookies.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2/3 cup jam

Tools

• Bowl
• Spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cookie scoop
• Small spoon

These cookies last well for up to one week in an airtight container at room temperature. So you can make them up to one week ahead of time.

You can also freeze this thumbprint cookie recipe. Just make sure they are completely cooled and the jam has set. Add them to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze them for up to one month.

Get the printable recipe for these cookies below:

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If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other unique cookie recipes:

Apricot Dark Chocolate • Bacon Chocolate Chip • Brownie Chocolate Chip • Buckeye • Butterscotch Popcorn • Chocolate Chip Pudding • Chocolate Chip Sandwich • Chocolate Marshmallow • Chocolate Mint Sandwich • Christmas Butter • Christmas Linzer • Funfetti • Ginger Molasses • Grinch • Heath Bar • Nutella Stuffed • Oatmeal Cream Pies • Peanut Butter Blossoms • Peanut Butter Cookie Cups • Peppermint Frosted • Reese’s Pieces • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups • Reindeer • Ritz S’mores • Rolo • Santa Cookies • Snickers • Vanilla • White Chocolate Cranberry