Who doesn’t love a good butter cookie? Am I right? A rich shortbread? These Jam Thumbprint Cookies deliver the decadence of a shortbread with the sweet complement of a tasty jam.
As I was editing these pictures, I was reminded of a daily ritual we had when the kids were very young – elementary-age young.
When they arrived home from school we’d gather around the island, have a snack, and make it our special time to talk about their day. As a way to help them transition from school to an evening free of the day’s burdens – I would use the phrase, “How ’bout we get the crumbs out?” Crumbs equaled those events, thoughts or ideas that had accumulated throughout the day and weighed heavy on their minds.
One day I asked Chels if she remembered how I would initiate our after-school conversations. She did! We laughed for a minute – then I told her I’d be sharing this memory on the blog. I assured her, however, that I wouldn’t reveal any of their stories, to which she replied, “Ma, it’s fine… how scandalous could a 4th grader’s stories be?”
Ahhhhhhhh! Good times! See that – even my parenting strategies involved food!
Now about these Jam Thumbprints….
JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIES ARE SO SIMPLE TO MAKE:
- Once you’ve creamed together the butter, sugar, and vanilla, added the flour and salt, and chilled for 30 minutes, all there’s left to do is form, bake and enjoy.
- Roll the dough into one ounce balls then dip them into egg wash and coconut.
- Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your thumb.
- Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. I used black raspberry. Yum.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown.
- Cool and serve.
COOK’S NOTES FOR JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIES:
- Thumbprint cookies are rather versatile.
- You can change up the jam flavors…apricot is nice!
- You can change up the ingredient they’re rolled in. Chopped nuts make for an exciting alternative.
- You can even go sans coconut and place a candy kiss in the center.
- Thumbprints are perfect for anytime, but they make for a beautiful cookie on a holiday platter!
If you decide to give these Jam Thumbprint Cookies a whirl – I’d love your feedback and photos! Tag @ciaochowbambina on Instagram, or share to my Pinterest and Facebook page!
MORE TASTY HOMEMADE COOKIE RECIPES:
DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies
Amaretti & Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Buon Appetito!
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Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Category: Dessert
Description
Who doesn’t love a good butter cookie? Am I right? A rich shortbread? These Jam Thumbprint Cookies deliver the decadence of a shortbread with the sweet complement of a tasty jam.
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water, for egg wash
- 7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
- Your favorite jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined.
- Add the vanilla.
- Separately, sift together flour and salt.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar.
- Mix until the dough starts to come together.
- Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disc.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. (They should each weigh 1 ounce.)
- Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut.
- Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into each with your thumb.
- Drop 1/4 tsp. of jam into each indentation.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut is golden brown.
- Cool and serve.
My mom always made these when we were kids – always a hit. This is a good project with a kid – I always got to add the thumbprint and the jam! Love these, Annie.
Aren’t those some of the best memories? Thanks, friend!
Those cookies look too good to eat! That jam definitely adds a fun flavor to that rich buttery goodness!
I agree, but we ate them anyway! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Annie, these look truly amazing!! They would make the perfect Easter dessert. I’m a sucker for any dessert that has fresh jam in it!!
Can’t beat delicious jam (encased in a cookie!)! Thanks, Haylie!
Annie, getting the crumbs out is such a sweet way of transitioning from school to home. I sure would have loved to come home to these cookies! The jam is so yummy and I love the coconut on them. It adds such a nice flavor and texture!
Thanks, Kelly! This is a favorite treat of ours! 🙂
These cookies look so good! I have had thumbprints in a long time. Thanks for inspiring me!
So happy I could inspire you! These are the best, aren’t they?!!
Hard to beat a great thumbprint cookie! Loving the combination of coconut and jam. Such great flavours 🙂
It sure is! Thanks, Jennifer!
I love your after school tradition! What great memories for you now. I also love these cookies! There’s nothing better than a buttery cookie filled with a delicious jam!
They are great memories…and as we approach our upcoming empty nest – they seem to be flying in faster than ever! Thanks, friend!
Love that you rolled your thumbprint cookies in flaked coconut! I have a soft spot for anything jam, so these cookies are just my thing 🙂 . Such a sweet story of you and your kids, Annie. Thank for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by with a sweet word, Nicoletta! I agree – the coconut is a nice addition! 🙂
Such a sweet story, Annie… to be cherished for sure! And these cookies! I’m a fan and make a similar recipe a few times a year. I love the jammy goodness with a bite of a buttery cookie… breakfast?? Delicious Annie! Thank you for sharing!
I thought, if I’m craving them – someone else might be too! 😉 Thanks, friend!
That’s such a sweet story, Annie. I will need to start a little “crumb” tradition like yours with my kids once they start school full-time! These will be so fun to make with the kiddos – they love to stick their thumbs into things anyway, so might as well make it worthwhile 😉
Hahaha! I love that! “They love to stick their thumbs into things anyway…” That’s great! I agree – might as well make it count!! Thanks, friend! 🙂
These cookies look mouthwatering, Annie! I love that ritual you had with your daughter to give her a special space to share what was on her mind. Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Thank you, Marissa! Such sweet memories! 🙂
I love your “get the crumbs out” routine. My youngest is still in elementary school and we have a similar ritual every day. These are some gorgeous thumbprint cookies, Annie! I love the addition of the coconut – so pretty when it is all toasty like that.
Those daily rituals are so important! Thanks, Kim! So happy you like the cookies!
I wouldn’t mind ‘getting the crumbs out’ with a tray of these cookies on the table! Love the addition of coconut and now I am craving black raspberry jam all of a sudden. Perhaps the pretty pictures, lol….Pinned!
Such a beautiful color! And yummy cookie! Yep, cookies make it easy to get the crumbs out!! 😉
Seriously, is there anyone on Earth who doesn’t love a butter cookie? I’ll never have enough butter in my life :). These look absolutely delicious!
If there is, I haven’t them!! Yes – gimme all the butter (cookies)!!
That’s such a great expression – ‘get the crumbs out’. I love any type of cookie and these look super scrumptious, Annie! And you’re very sneaky! Wish I had, like, 6 right now! Happy Monday, my friend 🙂 XOXO
Wish I could send you some!! Thanks, my friend! Have a great week, dear! XOXO
Jam thumbprint cookie are always a total hit around here Annie! It’s like two treats in one. These look incredibly delicious. I’d have a hard time sharing! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Yep – our house too! They’re an all-time favorite! Thanks, Mary Ann! Have a great week, my friend!
Stunning recipe! I have never tried black raspberry jam, and I feel like I am missing out 🙂 Can’t wait to make these very soon!
It’s a yummy jam! And these are yummy cookies! Thanks, friend! Enjoy!!