Cherry Thumbprint Cookies: A Holiday Cookie Tin Classic
Ingredients:
Quick Reference
- What they are: buttery shortbread cookies with a thumbprint filled with cherry preserves.
- Time: 30 minutes active + 1 hour chilling + 15 minutes baking.
- Yield: 24 cookies.
- Storage: 5 days at room temperature; 2 months frozen.
- Best preserves: dark cherry, sour cherry, or any thick, not-too-sweet jam.
- Gift-ready: these stack neatly in a tin and survive shipping.
Cherry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cherry preserves
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in vanilla and almond extract.
- Add flour and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Refrigerate dough 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheets.
- Make a thumbprint (or use the back of a small spoon) in each ball.
- Fill each thumbprint with ½ teaspoon cherry preserves.
- Bake 15-18 minutes until edges are very lightly golden.
- Cool on the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Holiday Gift Presentation
Stack cookies in a tin lined with parchment. Add a small handwritten tag. Stack 12 in a small tin for a personal gift; 24 for a family. The cookies survive shipping wrapped tightly in tin foil and bubble wrap.
Variations
- Different preserves: raspberry, strawberry, apricot, lemon curd.
- Nut coating: roll dough balls in chopped pecans or almonds before pressing the thumbprint.
- Chocolate-filled: use chocolate ganache instead of preserves.
- Lemon thumbprints: add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to dough; fill with lemon curd.
Related Articles
Pair with our holiday wassail punch and starbread for a complete Christmas spread.
Join the Discussion!
What is your family’s signature holiday cookie? Tell us in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use jam instead of preserves?
Yes. Use thick jam; thinner jellies will soak into the cookie.
Why is my thumbprint cracking?
Dough was too cold. Let it warm slightly before pressing. A small crack is fine; the cookies bake into a uniform shape.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate dough up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Do thumbprint cookies ship well?
Yes, when stacked in a tin with parchment between layers. Wrap the tin tightly and pad with bubble wrap.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes. Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Add ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend lacks it.
Lauren May
Lauren "Herbs" May is a gardener, forager, and recipe developer based in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Her imaginative dishes weave together nature, artistry, and 200 years of family tradition. Learn more and become inspired by her many creations at MustLoveHerbs.com.
- Lauren May
Yummmmmm
Can cherry pie filling be used instead of the jam or preserves?
I think that would work, and sounds pretty tasty!