Name: Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder; ½ cup granulated sugar for coating (or your preferred topping: coarse sugar, powdered sugar, finely chopped roasted nuts, or desiccated coconut); ½ cup seedless jam (such as seedless raspberry jam) or your preferred fillings (lemon curd, fruit curd, hard candies, Nutella, chocolates, Hershey kisses)

There’s something truly magical about the smell of freshly baked thumbprint cookies on a chilly December afternoon. This Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is one of my favorite traditions, blending buttery softness with the sweet pop of jam in every bite—perfect for sharing with loved ones or packing into festive cookie tins.

A wooden box lined with printed parchment paper holds four different kinds of cookies arranged in layers. On the top left, there are dark brown cookies with a chocolate center, one tied with a red and white string. Below them, round cookies have a red jelly center with a rough texture, stacked with peppermint candies tucked in between. To the right, light beige cookies with yellow jelly centers are stacked in a layer on top of more of the red jelly center cookies, some with heart shapes, interspersed with small peppermint candies. The bottom right corner shows dark brown cookies topped with chocolate swirls and sprinkled with nuts, some tied with red and white string, next to a few bright red sugar-coated cookies with peppermint candy centers. Outside the box on the right, three cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, and two candy canes are shaped into a heart. Red and white beaded garlands with golden bells and a red ribbon decorate the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has a special place in my kitchen because it’s reliably delicious and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, you’ll find these cookies a joy to make and to share.

Simple ingredients: All pantry staples that you can easily find, which means no last-minute grocery runs.
No chill time: Unlike many cookie recipes, you can jump straight into baking—perfect when holiday time is tight.
Customization galore: From coatings to fillings, you can make endless flavor variations that keep things exciting.
Soft yet crisp texture: You get a delicate crunch on the outside but a melt-in-your-mouth soft center every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredient list feels so balanced to me—it’s all about classic buttery goodness with just the right touch of sweetness and a hint of vanilla. Plus, the addition of cocoa in half the dough makes for a fun chocolate twist within the same batch.

Flat lay of a smooth stick of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of fine sea salt crystals, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a neat mound of all purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of clear pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl of rich dark dutch processed cocoa powder, a small white bowl of seedless raspberry jam placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: I always use unsalted to control the saltiness and allow the buttery flavor to shine.
Granulated sugar: Provides that clean sweetness and helps create a slight crisp around the edges.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a touch of caramel depth that makes these cookies extra soft inside.
Sea salt: I love the tiny pop of sea salt here—it balances the sweetness perfectly.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together while adding richness.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the dough structure but keeps the cookies tender.
Baking powder: Just enough to give a slight lift without puffing the cookies too much.
Pure vanilla extract: For warmth and aroma—use the best quality you can find!
Dutch processed cocoa powder: This gives the chocolate part of the dough a smooth, rich flavor without bitterness.
Granulated sugar for coating: Adds a sparkle and crunch on the cookie exterior but substitute with coarse sugar, nuts, or coconut for fun twists.
Seedless jam: I always go for raspberry or strawberry, but lemon curd or apricot work beautifully too.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’m a big fan of switching up jams and coatings depending on which festive party I’m baking for—it keeps the experience fresh and satisfying. Don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors and textures!

Variation: I once tried a batch with a mix of apricot jam and chopped pistachios rolled on the outside. It was an unexpected hit and gave me loads of comments from guests.
Dietary swap: For a gluten-free twist, try using a gluten-free flour blend and be mindful the dough may be a bit more delicate when shaping.
Seasonal changes: Outside of Christmas, swap the jam for lemon curd and add a dusting of powdered sugar for a springtime vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A variety of cookies are closely packed together on a wooden tray over a white marbled surface. In the center, there are pale beige round cookies with a shiny red jam filling in the middle, with a smooth soft texture. Surrounding these are deep brown cookies coated with chopped nuts and topped with swirls of dark chocolate, tied with a red and white string around them. At the bottom, two bright red cookies covered in coarse sugar have a small candy cane piece and white drizzle on top. Behind the cookies, small candy canes wrapped in red and white stripes are placed in a small white dish filled with chocolates and more cookies, creating a festive look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until you have a light, fluffy mixture—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes on medium speed in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer. Don’t rush this step; it’s key for those tender, soft cookies. Remember to scrape down the sides occasionally so everything blends evenly.

Step 2: Add Salt, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, pop in the salt, a large egg, and vanilla extract. Beat again until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This adds richness and depth to your cookie dough.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Sift together your flour and baking powder, then add them directly into the wet mix. Fold gently until dough begins to form—avoid overmixing here to keep those cookies tender.

Step 4: Divide and Add Cocoa Powder

Separate half the dough into another bowl. Stir the Dutch processed cocoa powder into one half until completely blended, yielding two dough varieties—vanilla and chocolate—all ready to be rolled.

Step 5: Shape, Coat, and Press Indents

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form even-sized balls from both doughs. Roll each ball in your choice of topping—granulated sugar, crushed nuts, or desiccated coconut all work wonderfully. For the classic thumbprint, press gently with your thumb or a teaspoon to create a little well for filling. Here’s a fun trick: for a heart shape, push once with your index finger and then again at a slight angle.

Step 6: Fill and Bake

Fill each indent with a tiny spoonful of your favorite seedless jam. I’ve found raspberry seedless jam adds a perfect sweet-tart contrast. Arrange the cookies on a lined baking tray, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and bake at 355°F (180°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—you want soft edges, not crisp and dry.

Step 7: Add Final Touches and Cool

Right after baking, if you want to add Nutella, chocolates, or Hershey kisses, now’s the time. For Nutella, gently press a teaspoon into the center so it’s nestled without spreading too much. Let the cookies cool fully on a wire rack before digging in—it makes a big difference in texture.

Top Tip

From my experience, mastering the perfect thumbprint is all about gentle pressure and waiting for the cookies to cool completely before adding certain toppings. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and get those perfectly soft centers every time.

Even sizing: Using a cookie scoop ensures your cookies bake evenly and look professional.
Don't overbake: The cookies should look just set around the edges but still soft in the middle as they finish baking on the tray.
Press indents carefully: Too hard and the cookies will crack; too soft and they might flatten—practice a gentle but firm touch.
Add soft fillings at the end: Things like Nutella or chocolates melt fast, so add them as soon as they come out of the oven.

How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple with a sprinkle of coarse sugar crystals before baking for sparkle. For an extra festive touch, try finely chopped pistachios or a light dusting of powdered sugar once cool—it feels like gifting each cookie a little magic.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or even a milky latte. On holiday mornings, I’ll serve them alongside fresh fruit and a glass of eggnog for a cozy treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifts, I arrange assorted thumbprint cookies in a festive tin lined with parchment paper and add a sprig of fresh rosemary or a cinnamon stick to the box—it adds the perfect pop of holiday aroma and looks incredibly inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I recommend a layer of parchment paper between cookie layers to keep them from sticking together and preserve their delicate texture.

Freezing

I often freeze the dough balls before baking—this way, you can pull out just what you need for fresh cookies anytime. To freeze, scoop and shape the dough balls, place them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, bake at the same temperature, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To warm cookies up without drying them out, I pop 2 or 3 in the microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly in a low oven (300°F) for 3-4 minutes. This revives their soft texture and brings the filling to that perfect slightly gooey state.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of jam or fillings?

Absolutely! This Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is super flexible. While I love seedless raspberry jam, you can swap in apricot, strawberry, lemon curd, or even caramel or Nutella. Just keep in mind that softer fillings like Nutella are best added after baking to avoid melting too much in the oven.

Why do my thumbprint cookies crack around the edges?

Cracking usually happens if you press the indent too hard or if the dough is too cold and stiff. I’ve found letting the butter soften properly and pressing gently in the middle with light pressure keeps the cookies neat and intact.

Can I prepare the cookies ahead of time and bake later?

Yes! You can shape the cookie dough balls and freeze them on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw slightly and bake as directed, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time if needed.

How do I prevent the cookies from becoming too hard?

The key is not to overbake. Bake the cookies just until the edges are set and lightly golden. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on a wire rack to finish setting. Proper storage also helps keep them soft longer.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe always feel like a little moment of joy when I’m baking during the holidays. They’re straightforward, endlessly customizable, and perfect for sharing with family and friends—or keeping as your own secret treat. I hope you give them a try this season and make some sweet memories along the way!