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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ¾ cup granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - 2 cups all-purpose flour - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt - ½ teaspoon baking powder - ½ cup fruit jam (raspberry, apricot, or strawberry) - Optional: powdered sugar for dusting - Measuring cups and spoons - Mixing bowls - Hand mixer - Baking sheets - Parchment paper - Wire rack To make Butter Thumbprint Cookies, you need some key ingredients. First, unsalted butter must be softened. This butter helps to create a rich flavor. Sugar adds sweetness and helps with texture. You will need pure vanilla extract for that lovely aroma. All-purpose flour is essential for the cookie base. Fine sea salt enhances the sweet flavor. Baking powder helps the cookies rise and stay soft. Choose your favorite fruit jam. Raspberry, apricot, or strawberry works well. Lastly, if you want a touch of elegance, powdered sugar is optional for dusting. For tools, be sure to have measuring cups and spoons. Mixing bowls are a must for combining ingredients. A hand mixer saves time when creaming the butter and sugar. Use baking sheets lined with parchment paper. This prevents cookies from sticking. Finally, a wire rack is great for cooling the cookies after baking. With these ingredients and tools, you are ready to bake delightful Butter Thumbprint Cookies! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Start by heating your oven. This ensures your cookies bake evenly. Lining the sheets with parchment paper helps prevent sticking. - Creaming butter and sugar. - Incorporating vanilla extract. - Combining dry ingredients and mixing. In a large bowl, mix softened butter and sugar. Use a hand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. The mix should be light and fluffy. Next, add the vanilla extract and blend it in well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix to the wet mix. Stir gently until just blended. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps your cookies soft and tender. - Rolling dough into balls. - Creating indents and filling with jam. - Baking time and doneness indicators. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place these balls on the prepared sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each ball to make an indent. Fill each indent with about ½ teaspoon of your favorite fruit jam. Make sure not to overfill; this will help keep the jam inside while baking. Now, place the baking sheets in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges, while the centers should stay soft. Once done, let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you want, dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch before serving. Room temperature butter is key for great cookies. When butter is soft, it mixes well with sugar. This helps create a light and fluffy dough. If the butter is cold, your cookies may turn out dense and tough. Avoid overmixing the dough. Once you add the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough. We want tender cookies that melt in your mouth. Choosing the right jam can elevate your cookies. Raspberry, apricot, and strawberry all work well. Pick a jam that you love. A good jam adds both flavor and color to your cookies. When filling the cookies, use about a half teaspoon of jam. Be careful not to overfill. If you add too much jam, it may overflow while baking. A small amount is just right for a sweet surprise. Oven placement matters for even baking. Place your baking sheets in the center of the oven. This helps cookies bake evenly without burning the edges. Keep an eye on the cookie edges. They should turn a light golden color when done. The centers can stay soft. This is how you know your cookies are perfectly baked. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For even more tender cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps to enhance the flavor and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. Use High-Quality Jam: The flavor of the jam will greatly affect your cookies. Opt for a high-quality, fruit-filled jam to ensure a delicious burst of flavor in each bite. Experiment with Flavors: Don’t hesitate to try different flavors of jam or even nut butters. Variations like chocolate hazelnut or lemon curd can add a unique twist to this classic recipe. Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies while baking. They should be just lightly golden on the edges and still soft in the center for the best texture. {{image_4}} You can use many jams for your cookies. Seasonal jams make great choices. Think of fresh fruit you love. Raspberry, apricot, or strawberry are classic picks. But don’t stop there! You can experiment with chocolate or nut butters too. Nut butters like almond or peanut add a creamy twist. Chocolate spreads can turn your cookies into a dessert dream. If you need gluten-free options, try gluten-free flour blends. They work well and keep your cookies tasty. For those avoiding dairy, vegan butter substitutes exist. Coconut oil or vegan margarine can replace butter nicely. You won’t lose flavor, and your cookies will still be soft. Want to spice things up? Add cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth. These spices create depth in flavor. You can also incorporate nuts or chocolate chips. Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Chocolate chips bring sweetness and richness. Both options elevate your cookie game to the next level! To keep your butter thumbprint cookies fresh, use an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers work well. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking. This helps prevent sticking. Store cookies at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to one week. You can freeze unbaked dough. Simply scoop and shape the dough into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the balls to a zip-top bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies anytime. After baking, let cookies cool completely. Then, place them in a freezer-safe container. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. Just remember to label the container! To refresh cookies after storage, use the oven for the best results. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place cookies on a baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes. This warms them without making them hard. You can also use a microwave. Heat cookies for 10-15 seconds. This method is quick but may make them a bit soft. Enjoy your cookies warm! You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter. Just reduce the added salt by half. Another option is to use margarine. Keep in mind that margarine may change the flavor slightly, but it still works well. If you want a dairy-free option, try coconut oil. It gives a nice flavor and texture too. To check if the cookies are done, look for a light golden edge. The centers should feel soft but not doughy. You can gently press the edge with a finger; it should spring back. If it leaves a mark, bake for a minute or two more. Yes, you can use whole wheat flour for a healthier option. It will change the texture a bit, making it heartier. If you want gluten-free cookies, try almond flour or a gluten-free blend. Just make sure to adjust the amount of flour, as it may absorb moisture differently. Butter Thumbprint Cookies stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. They can last for about three months in the freezer. Chilling the dough is not required, but it helps with shaping. If you find the dough too soft to handle, chill it for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. You now have a complete guide to making delicious Butter Thumbprint Cookies. We covered the required ingredients, essential tools, and the step-by-step process. Important tips and creative variations were also discussed to enhance your baking experience. Remember, the right texture and choosing the best jam make all the difference. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing your treats with others. Happy baking!

Delightful Butter Thumbprint Cookies

These delightful cookies feature a buttery base with a sweet fruit jam center, perfect for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 cup fruit jam (your choice of raspberry, apricot, or strawberry)
  • optional powdered sugar for a light dusting

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, take the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream them together using a hand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy, showing a pale color.
  • Pour in the vanilla extract, continuing to mix until thoroughly incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Once combined, gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this will keep your cookies tender.
  • To shape the cookies, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball using your hands. Place these dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  • Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each dough ball, making sure not to press too deep.
  • Carefully fill each indentation with about ½ teaspoon of your chosen fruit jam, allowing the jam to create a delightful surprise within each cookie.
  • Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden, while the centers remain soft.
  • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • For an elegant finishing touch, if desired, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Arrange the cookies artfully on a decorative plate, and consider serving them with a side of additional jam for dipping.
Keyword butter, cookies, jam, thumbprint