Description
Delightfully buttery and tender Thumbprint Cookies with a soft center perfect for filling with your favorite jam or chocolate. These classic cookies feature a crisp edge and a sweet, chewy middle, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until fully combined and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about one minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing until evenly combined. Scrape down the sides again if necessary to ensure uniformity.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until the dough just begins to come together and forms a cohesive ball.
- Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough onto plastic wrap, wrap it tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Once chilled, portion about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll each into a ball. Place them on a baking sheet spaced slightly apart. Using your thumb or a tablespoon measuring spoon, press down in the center of each ball to create a small indentation or well for the filling.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cookies for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. If the cookies rise during baking and the indentations fill in, press gently again with a spoon to restore the thumbprint.
- Cool and Fill: Allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature on the baking sheet or a cooling rack. Fill the centers with your favorite jam, chocolate, or desired toppings before serving.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is at room temperature before creaming.
- You can substitute the filling with lemon curd, Nutella, or caramel for variety.
- Make a dent with a spoon immediately before baking to maintain the thumbprint shape if the dough becomes too soft.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing the dough helps achieve cleaner thumbprints and easier handling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: thumbprint cookies, classic cookies, jam filled cookies, butter cookies, holiday cookies
