Festive Thumbprint Cookies with Icing Recipe: Sweet Joy in Bites!

Sweet memories bloom with every bite of these delightful thumbprint cookies with icing that bring comfort straight to your kitchen.

Soft, buttery dough cradles a dollop of colorful frosting in each perfectly pressed center.

These classic treats offer a nostalgic journey back to childhood baking moments.

Delicate and charming, they melt in your mouth with a perfect balance of tender cookie and smooth icing.

The simple ingredients transform into an irresistible dessert that sparks joy at first glance.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these elegant cookies that look like they came from a professional bakery.

Dive into this recipe and let the magic of homemade goodness fill your home with warmth and sweetness.

How To Make Thumbprint Cookies With Icing Fast

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen appliance and set it to the perfect baking temperature. Spread clean parchment paper across baking trays to create a smooth landing spot for your delightful cookies.

• Cookie Dough Creation

Mix soft butter, sugar, and vanilla until they become a creamy dream. Gently fold in flour to create a tender, light dough that will melt in your mouth. Roll the mixture into tiny round treasures, each one a potential burst of happiness.

• Thumbprint Magic

Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create cute little wells in the center of each cookie. These little pockets will soon be filled with colorful, sweet surprises.

• Jam Wonderland

Carefully drop a dollop of vibrant jam into each cookie’s cozy center. Choose flavors that make your taste buds dance – strawberry, raspberry, or any fruity delight that catches your eye.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the cookie-filled trays into the warm oven. Let them bake until the edges turn a gentle golden brown, transforming from soft dough to crisp, delectable treats.

• Icing Finale

Once cooled, drizzle or pipe a layer of sweet icing over the cookies. Let your creativity flow as you add a final touch of sugary elegance to these homemade delights.

Tips To Boost Flavor In Thumbprint Cookies With Icing

• Baking Perfection Secrets: Gently press your thumb in the center of each cookie dough ball to create a uniform well for jam or icing, ensuring consistent shape and depth.
• Jam Selection Magic: Choose high-quality fruit preserves with low water content to prevent spreading during baking, with classic options like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot delivering the most vibrant flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and adding a pinch of xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and freeze them unbaked, storing in an airtight container for up to 3 months, then bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Decorative Icing Pro Tips: Allow cookies to cool completely before adding icing, using a piping bag or small spoon for precise and elegant decoration, and experiment with colored royal icing or sprinkles for festive variations.

How To Serve Thumbprint Cookies With Icing Nicely

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange these delightful thumbprint cookies on a decorative Christmas plate with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a stunning seasonal presentation.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon, creating a charming homemade treat perfect for gifting to friends and family.
• Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a warm cup of chai tea or hot cocoa to complement the buttery cookie's sweet flavor and create a cozy afternoon treat.
• Elegant Dessert Display: Create a beautiful cookie tower by stacking the thumbprint cookies in a spiral pattern on a tiered cake stand, showcasing their colorful icing and delicate texture.

How To Store Thumbprint Cookies With Icing Right

• Smart Portion Control: Divide cookie dough into equal-sized balls to ensure consistent baking and attractive presentation. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform sizing.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain neat thumbprint indentations. Cold dough creates more stable and precise cookie shapes.
• Flavor Extension: Store iced thumbprint cookies in single layers between wax paper inside an airtight container. Keeps cookies fresh at room temperature for 5-7 days without compromising taste or texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Cookies remain delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh icing before serving for maximum flavor and visual appeal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 151 kcal

Servings: 23

Everything In Thumbprint Cookies With Icing

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides perfect tender structure and smooth texture for delicate cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth cookie base with delicate sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps bind ingredients for perfect cookie consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic depth to enhance overall cookie taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other ingredient flavors.

• Raspberry Jam: Adds vibrant fruity center with sweet-tart burst of color and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar (For Icing): Creates smooth, glossy finishing glaze with elegant white appearance.
• Milk: Helps create perfectly smooth, spreadable icing consistency.

Tools To Bake Thumbprint Cookies With Icing

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect cookie texture.
• Baking Sheets: Parchment-lined sheets help cookies bake evenly and prevent sticking.
• Thumb or Small Spoon: Creates signature indentation for jam or icing.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Small Saucepan: Useful for preparing icing if making from scratch.
• Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape down bowl sides.
• Piping Bag or Zip-top Bag: Optional for decorating cookies with icing.

Sweet Thumbprint Cookies With Icing Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Classic thumbprint cookies offer a delightful blend of buttery shortbread and sweet jam. Small treats bring joy with their simple charm and nostalgic flavor profile, inviting you to savor each delicate bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps milk or cream
• ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
• Food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cookie release.
2. Dough Creation: Whip butter and sugar into a light, airy mixture. Blend vanilla extract and egg yolk thoroughly, ensuring smooth incorporation.
3. Mixing Process: Gently fold flour and salt into the creamy base, developing a cohesive dough without overworking, which prevents tough texture.
4. Shaping Cookies: Form walnut-sized dough spheres, creating a uniform thumb or spoon indent in each ball’s center to cradle jam filling.
5. Jam Filling: Distribute preferred jam delicately into each cookie’s depression, showcasing vibrant color and flavor.
6. Baking Stage: Arrange cookies on prepared sheets, maintaining slight separation. Bake 12-15 minutes until edges transform to a golden hue.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cookies on baking sheets until completely cooled. Craft icing by whisking powdered sugar with milk into a smooth, drizzling consistency.
8. Decorative Touch: Elegantly pipe or drizzle icing across jam-filled centers, creating an artistic final presentation.
9. Storage: Allow icing to set completely before transferring cookies to an airtight container, preserving their delicate texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Select high-fat butter and fresh egg yolks for a richer, more tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Control Dough Consistency: Avoid overmixing when adding flour to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix just until ingredients combine smoothly.
• Master Thumbprint Technique: Create uniform wells by using the back of a small spoon or your thumb, applying gentle, even pressure to ensure consistent jam placement.
• Temperature Matters: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing, which helps create a more homogeneous dough and promotes even baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 151
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg