• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes

Thumbprint Cookies

38 minutes
4.43 from 95 votes
32 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to Video
  • 547
by: Joanna Cismaru
06.12.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect holiday cookies. Cookie dough balls are coated in walnuts then topped with raspberry jam. An old fashioned cookie but a classic and incredibly delicious!

Closeup of Thumbprint Cookies

I’m already being asked for my cookies for Christmas so here I am baking pretty much for the entire month. Somehow I’m always in charge of dessert which usually is made up of a dozen different types of cookies, of which you can find the recipes for all here on the blog, and my walnut bread which is a tradition in our family. It’s ok, I’m not complaining because I love to bake and I love these cookies.

What Are Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are known as Hallongrotta which is a Swedish pastry. Translated it means “Raspberry Cave“. Thumbprint cookies are really old fashioned but a classic in my book.

There’s not a Christmas that goes by that I don’t make them. These cookies are a staple at my house for the holidays and everybody just loves them.

Four-step process of making Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies are great with toasted walnuts or pecans, however, you can use whatever nuts you prefer, but the nuts are a must. The jam is also a must. I prefer a seedless raspberry or strawberry jam, but feel free to use whatever jam you like.

How to Make the Best Thumbprint Cookies

Cookies are super easy to make. Always start by preheating your oven first because it really doesn’t take long at all to make the cookie dough. Also, line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper so that once your cookie dough is done, they’re all ready for you.

If you only have one baking sheet wait until it’s completely cooled before adding the second batch of cookies to it. This will prevent your thumbprint cookies from spreading.

Prepare all your ingredients before starting to make the cookie dough. This way it’s easy to just add the ingredients as needed.

Always use a cookie scoop to get perfectly sized cookies every time.

Thumbprint Cookies with a glass of milk in the background

Can I Freeze Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies are perfect for freezing. Simply store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. I always start my cookie baking at the beginning of December and store them in the freezer until the night before serving them. Simply take out the container from the freezer and thaw them on the counter overnight.

These cookies should make it to your holiday table because they sure are a crowd favorite.

Aren’t they pretty, and they are so yummy. You will love them.

Thumbprint Cookies around a glass of milk

Looking for More Christmas Cookie Recipes? Try These:

  • Mexican Wedding Cookies
  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  • Classic Shortbread Cookies
  • Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
  • Chocolate Rumballs
  • Cherry Pecan Rugelach

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

side view close up shot of english thumbprint cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

4.43 from 95 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 18 mins
Total: 38 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 24
Print Pin Rate
These Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect holiday cookies. Cookie dough balls are coated in walnuts then topped with raspberry jam. An old fashioned cookie but a classic and incredibly delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter unsalted and softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed (light or brown)
  • 1 egg separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup walnuts toasted and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup raspberry jam seedless, or your favorite jam
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a medium bowl combine the flour and salt together. 
  • In the bowl of your mixer add the butter and brown sugar then mix until light and fluffy for a couple minutes. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract and continue mixing until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix until well incorporated. 
  • In a small bowl beat the egg white with a fork. In another shallow bowl place the finely chopped walnut.
  • Shape the dough into 1 inch balls. It might be easier to use a small ice cream scoop to ensure that each ball is of equal size. Roll each ball in the egg white, then roll them in walnuts making sure to coat them well. Place the balls on the prepared cookie sheet and press a deep indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb. I find it easier to use a washed and dried wine cork. 
  • Bake the cookies for 8 minutes or until set. Remove cookies from the oven and fill each indentation with the jam, use about 1/4 tsp per cookie. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. 
  • Place cookies on wire racks to cool completely.

Video

Recipe Notes

If you use salted butter, there is no need to add additional salt to the recipe.
This recipe will yield about 24 cookies.
Feel free to add whatever jam or jelly you prefer. Pecans can also be used instead of walnuts.
To freeze, place cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 119kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 12g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 16mg (5%)Sodium: 63mg (3%)Potassium: 39mg (1%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 130IU (3%)Vitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 12mg (1%)Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:christmas cookies, english thumbprint cookies, thumbprint cookies
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 547
  • 1

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

side view shot of a fork twirling the noodles in the bowl
Previous Post
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
side view shot of a stack of chocolate sugar cookies stacked next to a glass of milk
Next Post
Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Caroline Connor says

    December 22, 2021 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    The best ever!

    Reply
  2. Erin says

    December 15, 2020 at 8:41 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! I dipped mine in the left over egg whites and rolled in crushed pecans, almonds, and coconut – all amazing!

    Reply
  3. Carl says

    November 8, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    4 stars
    Second batch. Fab. Never get more than 15 coolies. 1” balls.

    Reply
  4. txt says

    December 25, 2018 at 10:27 am

    They were delicious … and already gone. You helped me start a Christmas Eve tradition. Thank you. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
lemon chicken made in the air fryer in a blue bowl.

Asian

overhead shot of a spoon taking a bite of italian meatball soup

Italian

freshly made pozole rojo in a dutch oven.

Mexican

mititei on a plate with mustard and french fries.

Romanian

a stack of roti wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!