Description
This classic Thumbprint Cookie recipe features buttery, soft cookies filled with your choice of sweet jam or Nutella. Perfectly baked to a light golden brown, these cookies combine a tender texture with a delightful fruit or chocolate center, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 stick unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup jam (of choice) or Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Brown Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the unsalted butter and brown sugar. Cream them together at medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender cookie.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing at medium speed for 30 seconds until fully incorporated into the batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture. Process at low speed just until no streaks of flour remain; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies and Create Indents: Use a 1 tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly. Roll each portion into a ball and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon, gently press an indent into the center of each cookie ball without pressing down to the bottom.
- Fill and Bake: If using jam, spoon about 1 teaspoon into each indent now. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. If using Nutella, bake the cookies plain and fill the indents with 1 teaspoon of Nutella immediately after baking while cookies are still warm.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving to allow the filling to set and the cookies to firm up.
Notes
- Room temperature butter is key for proper creaming and tender cookies.
- You can customize the filling with any jam flavor or chocolate spread you prefer.
- Spacing cookies about 2 inches apart prevents them from spreading into each other.
- Press gently when making the thumbprints to avoid cracking during baking.
- Letting cookies cool completely enhances texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
