Shortbread Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Holiday Baking (2024)

These Shortbread Jam Thumbprint Cookies have a tender, buttery base and a bit of jam in the center. An easy cookie recipe that tastes delicious!

Ah, the holiday season! It's that magical time of the year when we come together with family and friends, sharing laughter, love, and of course, food. Among the platters of festive delights, there's one cookie that never fails to steal the show: the jam shortbread cookie, affectionately known as the thumbprint cookie.

What's In A Name?

"Why thumbprint?", you might ask. The name originates from the technique used in crafting these cookies. Balls of the shortbread dough are rolled and then gently pressed with the thumb to create a well. This indentation is what holds the delicious jewel of jam that characterizes the cookie. Thus, "thumbprint" cookies!

Holiday Favorites

There's something inherently festive about these cookies. Perhaps it's the glistening jam center that reminds us of ornaments on a tree, or maybe it's just the combination of textures and flavors that dance delightfully on the palate. Whatever the reason, thumbprint cookies have become synonymous with the holiday season for many.

Not only are they delicious, but they also add a pop of color to any cookie tray, making them visually appealing as well. Plus, making them can be a fun family activity. Kids especially love the process of making the thumbprint indentation and filling it with their favorite jam.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jam Shortbread Cookies

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? Yes, you can use salted butter. However, you might want to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
2. What type of jam works best for this recipe? You can use any jam or jelly of your preference. Popular options include raspberry jam, peach jelly, and strawberry freezer jam, but feel free to get creative.
3. Can I freeze the dough for later use? Absolutely! You can scoop and indent the dough balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, add jam and bake directly from the freezer, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
4. Why is my dough too crumbly? It's possible the flour was over-measured. Always spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off, rather than packing it down. If it's too crumbly, you can add a touch more heavy cream to bring it together.
5. Can I double the recipe? Certainly! This recipe can easily be doubled for larger batches.
6. Why is chilling the dough so important? Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a more defined shape and texture.
7. How do I know the cookies are fully baked? You'll know the cookies are done when the bottom edges start to brown slightly.

More cookie recipes:

• My Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe
• Gingersnap Cookies
• Soft Gingerbread Cookies
• Extra Buttery Spritz Cookies

If you’ve tried thisthumbprint cookiesrecipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me onInstagramso I can repost on my stories.

📖 Recipe

The doughbase for these jam thumbprint cookies is adapted from America's Test Kitchen's Family Baking Cookbook. It's a great cookbook!

You could add lots of things to the middle of this shortbread dough. I think chocolate, nuts, and caramel might be a fun direction to head in too! You really can't go wrong with a recipe that calls for a cup of butter.