Jam Thumbprint Cookies – A Classic Treat Just Like Grandma Made

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If you’ve been searching for a sweet little cookie that’s buttery, jam-filled, and straight out of Grandma’s recipe box — these Jam Thumbprint Cookies are calling your name.

 These classic cookies have been a holiday tradition in my family for decades, but I think they’re just too good to only bake during one season. In this recipe post, I’ll show you my easy method, share my favorite jam fillings, and give you plenty of tips so every batch is buttery, jam-filled, and irresistible.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Classic old-fashioned flavor in every bite

A soft and sweet buttery shortbread cookie recipe that uses simple pantry ingredients, you can mix up the batter with just a spatula or use a small hand mixer if that’s easier.

Any jam flavour will work, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry. Well you get the idea! I used raspberry and apricot jams, as well as lemon curd. These cookies are delish!

Perfect for holidays, parties, or tea time

While typically this is a cookie recipe you only see around holiday time, like Christmas, it’s a great little butter cookie that you can serve anytime. What about baby or bridal showers, or my favorite – Afternoon Tea!

What also makes this cookie so special, is that you can prep the cookies and before you fill them with jam they can be frozen for up to three months. Then you just get them out and once thawed, fill them up with your favorite jams and bake.

Why I chose this recipe for you!

These were one of the first cookies I ever made with my Grandma. We’d use her homemade jam whatever was in season – strawberry was the most popular and then raspberry and blueberry. The aroma of the jams and the baking cookies was incredible.

Thumbprint Cookie Tips:

Chilling the dough after you have formed the cookies and made the ‘thumbprints’ makes for a better bake I think. Use the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to make your thumbprints.

Try not to overfill the cookies as the jam will spread as it bakes. Did you know that baking on parchment paper and light coloured pans helps to avoid over-browning?

Ingredients You’ll Need for Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Pantry staples you already have on hand

Everything you need is either in your cupboard or at the local grocery store:

• flour – I recommended unbleached flour for your cookies, and some generic brands are really good! Just be sure you measure the flour carefully. Too much and your cookies will be tough.
• powdered (confectioner’s) sugar – keeps the cookie dough sweet and smooth
• unsalted butter – I always recommend unsalted butter for baking, but if you only have salted, use it, but eliminate the 1/4 tsp salt from the recipe.
• vanilla extract – Use pure vanilla extract if you can and check the ingredients. Some generic vanilla extracts I’ve purchased recently have sulfites in them, so if that’s a problem for you, I recommend Simply Organic.
• salt – this is just regular table salt.
• egg yolk – you can freeze the egg whites in a sealed container for up to three months for other recipes!
• fruit jams – I also used lemon curd that I bought and my jams were from the store as well.
• granulated sugar (optional to roll your cookies in) I sprinkled white sugar over my cookies before filling them.

Best jam flavors for thumbprint cookies

This is completely personal, but for this recipe I used raspberry jam, apricot jam and lemon curd. I like the lemon curd as I was baking these cookies for my YouTube channel.

Ingredient swaps and flavor twists

Here’s where you can really have fun! Chocolate lovers will appreciate a little bit of nutella on their Thumbprint cookies, or maybe a Hershey’s Kiss?

If you’re baking cookies for the holidays, you can experiement with all kinds of red and green frostings.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Thumbprint Cookies (Video below)

Make the dough (butter, sugar, yolk, and flour)

Mix the softened butter and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Add the egg yolk, vanilla and salt. Mix everything up well, and add the flour. You can use a spatula to mix everything up by hand, or use a hand mixer.

Shape and press the cookies

Using a regular teaspoon from your flatware, scoop up the dough into your hand and press it together. Then roll the dough between your hands into evenly shaped balls.

The next step is to use a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon and gently press the ‘thumbprints’ into the cookies. You can use your thumb too – but I found using the measuring spoon was quick and easy!

Chill the cookies

This is an important step. Put the entire cookies sheet into your freezer for about 20 minutes. This really helps to setup the dough. I actually tested this and baked a batch without chilling, and I found the texture of the cookie just wasn’t as good as it was after chilling.

Fill with jam and bake until golden

Using the 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon, fill the thumbprints with your favorite jams and fillings. I used a wooden skewer to help me get the filling out of the measuring spoon. Try your best to keep the filling inside the thumbprint and not overfill.

Bake the cookies at 325F/163C for 15 minutes. This temperature and time were exactly right for my oven. I would recommend that you start at 13 minutes and work your way up.

Cool, store, and serve

Cool on a baking rack, and if you wish dress the cookies up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar! It’s the easiest and tasted so good. 🙂

Best Jams for Thumbprint Cookies

Sweet and tangy berry jams

Any of the berry jams, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, blueberry will work really well.

Apricot, peach, and tropical flavors

I love peach and apricot jams, as well as lemon curd! What about marmalade? I wonder if that would work.

Homemade jam vs. store-bought

Is there a difference? Well I’m sure there is, but honestly I’ve never had alot of success with homemade jams. They ones they make and sell in the store these days are such great quality. But you do you! Let me know in the comments your favorite jam flavours and whether or not you prefer homemade or store bought.

Baking Tips for Perfect Jam Thumbprint Cookies Every Time

How to keep thumbprint cookies from spreading

Make sure your dough is cold, use a chilled baking sheet, and avoid over-mixing the dough.

Preventing jam from bubbling over

Keeping the filling inside the ‘thumbprint’ will prevent the jam from bubbling over.

Getting that bakery-style look

Prevent cracking and get a smooth bakery-style cookie by keeping the dough chilled and not overworking the dough. I must confess that my cookies did crack a tiny bit. But I’m ok with that.

Fun Variations for Thumbprint Cookies

Nut-coated thumbprints

Ground hazlenuts, walnuts or pecans add a yummy finish to your thumbprint cookies! Just roll the cookie balls into the nuts before you make the thumbprint.

Chocolate drizzle finish

Melt some milk or dark chocolate and drizzle it over your baked cookies, instead of the powdered sugar sprinkle. The chocoholics will thanks you!

Lemon curd or caramel filling

In addition to the lemon curd I used in this recipe, you could also add a delicious caramel filling to the cookies, then drizzle with chocolate!

How to Store and Freeze Thumbprint Cookies

Storing cookies at room temperature

Cookies will keep up to three days at room temperature – if they last that long!

Freezing baked cookies

Cookies can be frozen – either unbaked cookies before filling, or after they are baked in a sealed container or freezer bag up to three months.

Jam Thumbprint Cookies FAQ

Thanks so much!

Thanks for stopping by Grandma Judy’s kitchen! I hope these jam thumbprints become a favorite in your home too. If you bake a batch, tag me @pieladybakes or leave a comment — I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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