Classic Thumbprint Cookies
These classic thumbprint cookies have a buttery, egg-free dough, a jam center, and a sweet almond glaze. Make them all year, not just at Christmas.
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Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 111kcal
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup preserves any flavor
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 to 3 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan with a silicone mat, or leave it ungreased.
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the almond extract and mix until fully combined.1 cup unsalted butter, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Stir in the flour just until no dry streaks remain. The dough is thick and a little crumbly.2 cups all-purpose flour
- Scoop the dough onto the pan. Press a deep well into the center of each cookie with your very clean thumb or the back of a small spoon, leaving a wall of dough all the way around.
- Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, until the cookies just start to turn golden and crack slightly on top.
- Right away, press each well down again with a spoon. Spoon preserves into each well, stopping just below the top edge.1/2 cup preserves
- Let the cookies cool completely to room temperature.
- Stir the powdered sugar and almond extract together. Add the water a little at a time until the glaze is thick but pourable.1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 2 to 3 teaspoons water
- Spoon glaze over each cookie to cover the jam without running over the edges. Let it set for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, with parchment between the layers.
Equipment
Notes
- For nut-free cookies, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract instead of 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in both the dough and the glaze.
- Stick margarine can replace butter. Skip tub margarine, which makes the cookies spread.
- Swap the preserves for a thick homemade fruit syrup, like blueberry or cherry.
- Freeze glazed cookies in an airtight container for up to one month, with parchment between the layers.
- For more tips, read the full article.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.4mg
This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.