Ah, the holiday season! There’s just something magical about the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house, isn’t there? Whenever I think of Christmas, I can’t help but smile at the memories of my family and me gathered in the kitchen, rolling dough and filling those little indents with vibrant fruit jams. That’s where these delightful *Christmas thumbprint cookies* come into play! They’re not only a feast for the eyes with their jam-filled centers, but they’re also so simple to make. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked on their buttery goodness and the sweet burst of jam. It’s a holiday tradition that’s sure to warm your heart and fill your home with joy!
Ingredients for Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, for that perfect sweetness
- 2 large eggs, which help bind everything together
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, because who doesn’t love that warm flavor?
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, the foundation of our cookies
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, to give our cookies that lovely rise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to enhance all the flavors
- 1 cup fruit jam or preserves, pick your favorite flavor for the center!
How to Prepare Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. I usually mix it for about 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy—this is the secret to a tender cookie!
- Next, add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well until everything is combined and smooth. You want to see that nice, creamy texture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial, as it ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want soft cookies, not tough ones!
- Now, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give them some space, as they will spread a little.
- Here comes the fun part! Use your thumb to make a little indentation in the center of each ball. Don’t worry if they crack a bit—it’s all part of the charm!
- Fill each indentation with your chosen jam, but be careful not to overfill; you want a little jam in each bite without it spilling over.
- Bake these beauties in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as ovens can vary!
- Once they’re done, let them cool on a wire rack before indulging. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re incredibly easy to make—perfect for bakers of all skill levels!
- The combination of buttery cookie and sweet jam is downright irresistible.
- They add a festive touch to any holiday dessert table.
- These cookies are customizable; you can use any jam you love!
- They make wonderful gifts for friends and family during the holidays.
Tips for Success
To make sure your *Christmas thumbprint cookies* turn out perfectly every time, here are my top tips! First, make sure your butter is truly softened—not melted—as this helps achieve that perfect texture. If you’re out of eggs, you can substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for a delightful twist! Also, don’t skip the chilling step; popping the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes can help prevent spreading too much while baking. And remember, if you want a little more flavor, try adding some almond extract along with the vanilla—it’s a game changer!
Variations on Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
One of the best things about *Christmas thumbprint cookies* is how versatile they are! If you want to switch things up, try using different flavors of jam—raspberry, apricot, or even chocolate hazelnut spread can add a delightful twist. Feeling adventurous? You can mix in some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a cozy flavor. For a festive touch, top each filled indentation with a sprinkle of crushed nuts or shredded coconut before baking. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for a decadent finish. The options are endless, and I love experimenting with new combinations!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *Christmas thumbprint cookies* fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you have any leftovers (which is rare, trust me!), you can also freeze them! Just layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll stay good for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat unless you want that fresh-baked feeling—then just pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided for these *Christmas thumbprint cookies* can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you choose to use. For the most accurate values, be sure to check the labels on your ingredients. Enjoy baking and indulging in these delightful treats!
FAQ About Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Can I use a different type of jam? Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with your favorite jams or even chocolate spreads. Raspberry, apricot, or strawberry are all fantastic choices!
What should I do if my dough is too sticky? If your dough feels too sticky to handle, just pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling it will make it easier to roll into balls.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to a month. Just let it thaw before baking!
How can I ensure they don’t spread too much? Make sure your butter is softened and not melted, and chilling the dough can help maintain their shape while baking.
Can I add nuts to the cookies? Definitely! Chopped nuts can be added to the dough or sprinkled on top of the jam before baking for an extra crunch.
Drucken
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies That Will Melt Your Heart
- Gesamtzeit: 35 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious Christmas thumbprint cookies filled with jam.
Zutaten
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fruit jam or preserves
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Make an indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb.
- Fill each indentation with jam.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Use your favorite type of jam for filling.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Cookies can be frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 15 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 120
- Zucker: 8g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 6g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 15g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: christmas thumbprint cookies
