Name: Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup jam or preserves (your favorite flavor); Powdered sugar for dusting

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

I still remember the first time I pressed a thumb into a ball of sugared dough and filled it with bright jam that small red dot felt like a promise of comfort. The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and wet mittens, and kids ran through the hall with paper snowflakes stuck to their sweaters. Those tiny, soft cookies always felt like a warm memory you could hold in your palm.

I cook the way my mom did: slow, steady, and with a little humming. I grew up learning to stir and taste beside her, and those church cookbook pages full of practical recipes shaped the way I feed my people. Now at 58, I write from Louisville, where weeknight dinners must be simple and desserts must be forgiving. I teach home cooks how to make family favorites that don’t take a lot of fuss but do take a lot of love.

My recipes stay pork-free, family-friendly, and easy to adapt for whatever pantry staples you have on hand. I keep instructions clear and calm, the way you’d explain a recipe to a neighbor over a cup of coffee, and I test everything in the kind of real kitchen where dinner has to be on the table by the time practice lets out.

If you love recipes that wrap you in nostalgia, these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies fit that bill. They bake up soft, chewable, and full of jammy centers that remind you of holiday cookie trays from years past. I like to make a double batch and tuck half of them into tins for neighbors. If you want a ricotta twist, try this softer cousin of thumbprints I developed: Soft Almond Ricotta Cookies. Those ricotta cookies share the same forgiving texture your family will adore, and they tip their hat to the same cozy memories these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies create on a snowy afternoon.

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love this dish

These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies feel like a hug from a blanket. You’ll love them because they come together with pantry staples and reward you with a tender crumb and a sticky, sparkling jam center. The recipe uses simple ingredients flour, butter, sugars, vanilla, and an egg and it leans on technique more than fuss. Rolling the dough into 1-inch balls and pressing the indentation with your thumb keeps the centers shallow and jam-forward, while a quick dusting of powdered sugar at the end adds that extra holiday sparkle.

I like this recipe for weeknight baking because it lets me multitask: while the cookies bake, I can prep a casserole or help with homework. The dough chills easily if you need to pause, but it also bakes beautifully at room temperature if you’re in a hurry. The balance of granulated and brown sugar gives these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies depth the granulated sugar keeps the edges lightly crisp and the brown sugar keeps the centers soft and slightly caramelized. Vanilla pulls everything together and makes the jam pop.

If you want a slightly different seasonal note, fill the centers with orange marmalade or a tart raspberry jam. For a nutty finish, roll half the balls in finely chopped nuts before baking and press gently to secure them. These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies freeze well, travel well, and please a crowd. If you enjoy the ricotta-style thumbprints I make sometimes, you might also like this Italian cannoli-inspired version I shared for a brighter, creamier twist: Italian Cannoli Inspired Thumbprint Cookies.

How to prepare Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Start with a soft, creamed butter base and fold the dry ingredients in gently. The key to these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies lies in not overworking the dough. Mix until just combined, keeping the texture tender. When you roll the dough into 1-inch balls, try to make them uniform so they bake evenly. Pressing the thumbprint while the dough is warm helps keep the indentation clear and makes room for a neat dollop of jam.

Use a small spoon or piping bag to fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam. I keep a variety of jams on the cookie table apricot, raspberry, and strawberry are classic and the contrast of the glossy jam against the soft cookie is delightful. Bake at 350°F (175°C) and watch for a faint golden tinge around the bottom edges; the centers should stay soft. After a few minutes on the baking sheet, transfer the cookies to a rack and dust with powdered sugar once cooled. These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies look festive when you alternate jam colors on a platter a simple trick that makes a big holiday statement.

Ingredients :
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup jam or preserves (your favorite flavor), Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions :

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)., 2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside., 3. In another large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth., 4. Beat in the egg until well combined., 5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined., 6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper., 7. Use your thumb to make an indentation in each ball., 8. Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam., 9. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden., 10. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely., 11. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving ideas

These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies sit beautifully on a holiday cookie tray, but they do more than look pretty. Serve a plate of them with coffee for an after-school treat or tuck a few into lunchboxes for a special midday surprise. For a party, arrange them on a tiered stand grouped by jam color the visual contrast makes your dessert table feel intentional and homemade.

You can also pair these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies with simple accompaniments. A pot of hot cocoa or a sturdy farmhouse coffee pairs wonderfully with the jammy centers. If you want to offer a more grown-up pairing at a holiday gathering, set out a small selection of dessert wines or a spiced tea; the sugary cookie and bright jam play nicely with warm spices and sweet wine notes. For a brunch table, arrange these cookies alongside fritattas and fruit they bring a sweet counterpoint that guests appreciate.

For gifting, stack a dozen in a small tin with parchment between layers. These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies travel well and stay soft if you don’t stack them too tightly. If you serve a crowd, mix jams and label the flavors so guests know what they’re tasting. If you like creative dips, try a thin lemon glaze on a few for brightness; the glaze gives the cookie a shiny finish without changing that signature soft texture.

Storage tips

Store your Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Place parchment between layers to keep jam from sticking and to protect the powdered-sugar finish. Keep them on a cool counter away from direct sunlight and heat; warmth can make the jam runnier and change the texture.

If you want to freeze them, arrange the cooled cookies on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container with layers separated by parchment paper. Frozen, these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies maintain their texture for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes they’ll soften back to that fresh-baked feel without losing the jam’s shine.

For a make-ahead approach, prepare the dough and shape it into balls, then freeze the raw dough on a baking sheet. Once firm, bag the dough balls and bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. This method keeps your holiday prep easy and ensures you always have a tray ready for unexpected guests. A small note: don’t dust with powdered sugar until after thawing or serving that keeps the presentation crisp and pretty for longer.

Helpful tips

Work with room-temperature butter for easier creaming and a smoother dough. If your kitchen runs cold, let the butter sit out about 30 minutes before starting. Use a cookie scoop or measure to form uniform 1-inch balls so the cookies bake evenly. Press each thumbprint gently; if you press too hard, the indentation will disappear during baking. If it rises back up, press again right when they come out of the oven while the centers stay soft.

Swap jams without fear apricot and raspberry both bring a bright, festive sweetness to these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies. If your jam is very thick, warm it a bit to make it easier to spoon; if it’s very thin, mix a small amount with a bit of cornstarch in a saucepan to thicken. For a nutty accent, roll half the dough balls in finely chopped toasted almonds before pressing the thumbprint; that gives a lovely contrast in texture and echoes ricotta-almond thumbprint flavors you might also enjoy, like in this Ricotta Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Apricot Jam.

Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes if it feels too soft to roll it firms up nicely and makes shaping easier. And remember: these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies don’t need elaborate decoration; the jam’s color and a light dusting of powdered sugar create the perfect simple holiday look.

Recipe variations

These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies adapt easily to flavor swaps. Use different jams blackcurrant, fig, or even a spiced apple butter to create distinct holiday trays. For a citrus lift, put a small dab of orange marmalade in half the cookies and sprinkle a tiny bit of finely grated orange zest on the powdered sugar once they cool. The marmalade brings a nostalgic brightness that pairs well with afternoons by the tree.

If you want a creamier filling, stir a spoonful of softened cream cheese into your jam before filling the indentations; treat the result like a quick pastry cream. You can also add a teaspoon of almond extract in place of half the vanilla for an almond note that plays nicely with chopped toasted almonds rolled onto a few cookies. For a ricotta-forward take, try swapping 1/4 cup of flour for 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese (drained) to give a tender, slightly tangy crumb reminiscent of my other ricotta thumbprint work: Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze.

For a gluten-free option, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if the blend lacks it. Keep an eye on baking time, as gluten-free doughs sometimes brown faster.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can shape the dough into balls and store them chilled for up to 48 hours before baking. If you plan to wait longer, freeze the shaped balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you bake, add a minute or two to the timer if baking from frozen. These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies keep their soft texture and jammy centers when you bake them straight from chilled dough or frozen balls.

Q: What jams work best for these cookies?
A: Any good-quality jam or preserve will work. Raspberry, strawberry, and apricot give classic looks and flavors. If your jam is especially chunky, warm it slightly and stir so it fills the indentations smoothly. Tart jams balance the sweetness of the dough, while sweeter, thicker preserves give a richer bite. Experiment with combinations for a varied cookie tray.

Q: How do I keep the cookies soft?
A: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment to prevent sticking. Avoid refrigeration, which can dry them out. If the cookies firm up after a day, a short 5–7 second zap in the microwave can soften them gently, or leave them at room temperature for an hour to return to a tender, fresh-baked feel. These Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies were born to be soft and jammy, so the storage approach matters airtight and cool, not cold.

Conclusion

If you want another take on classic thumbprints with extra tips and step-by-step photos, check out this excellent guide: Thumbprint Cookies – Sugar Spun Run. It pairs well with the ideas here and gives lots of helpful visuals for filling and baking techniques.

Ingredients

Instructions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply