Ah, thumbprint cookies! These delightful little treats are a classic Christmas favorite in my house, and I can’t think of a holiday season without them. I remember the first time I made these with my grandma; we’d spend hours in the kitchen, giggling and licking our fingers as we rolled the dough into perfect little balls. The best part? Pressing my thumb into the center, creating that iconic well, just waiting to be filled with sweet, fruity goodness. Trust me, there’s something so heartwarming about these cookies! They’re not only easy to whip up but they also fill your home with an irresistible aroma that screams festive cheer. So, if you’re looking for a simple yet delicious treat to share during the holidays, these thumb print cookies recipes for Christmas are just what you need!
Ingredients for Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves (your choice, like raspberry or apricot for that festive touch)
How to Prepare Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial because you want those cookies to bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Trust me, the fluffier the better!
- Next, add in the vanilla extract and mix well. The vanilla adds such a warm, inviting flavor to the dough.
- Now, gradually sift in the all-purpose flour along with the salt. Mix until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix—this dough is delicate and we want it to stay tender!
- Once the dough is ready, roll it into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each ball, as they will spread a bit.
- Here comes the fun part! Press your thumb gently into the center of each ball to create a little well. You want it deep enough to hold a dollop of fruit preserves, but not so deep that it falls apart.
- Now, fill each well with your choice of fruit preserves. You can be generous here; the more, the merrier!
- Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Oh, the smell will be heavenly!
- Once they’re done, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important because it helps them firm up a bit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to prepare, perfect for baking novices and seasoned pros alike!
- Deliciously buttery with a fruity center that’s simply irresistible.
- Perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
- Customizable with your favorite fruit preserves or even chocolate!
- They fill your home with the warm, nostalgic scent of Christmas.
Tips for Success with Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
To ensure your thumbprint cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First, make sure your butter is softened but not melted—this helps create that lovely fluffy texture. When rolling the dough, aim for uniform size; about 1 inch is ideal. Don’t press too hard when making the thumbprint; just enough to create a well without compromising the cookie’s structure. If you want a deeper well for more filling, you can use a teaspoon instead of your thumb—just be gentle!
Keep an eye on your baking time; every oven is a little different, so start checking at the 12-minute mark. You want the edges to be golden brown but not too dark. Also, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This helps them hold their shape. And remember, if you can resist, let them cool completely before diving in for that first bite—it’ll be worth the wait!
Variations of Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
Oh, the fun doesn’t stop with just fruit preserves! You can get super creative with your thumbprint cookies! One of my favorite variations is to swap out the fruit preserves for a rich chocolate ganache. Just melt some chocolate with a bit of cream and spoon it into the wells instead—talk about indulgent!
If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a nut butter, like almond or hazelnut spread, for a delightful twist. The combination of buttery cookie and nutty filling is simply divine! You can even mix and match fillings; imagine one cookie with raspberry preserves and another with creamy peanut butter. Yum!
For a festive touch, consider using spiced pumpkin butter or cranberry sauce during the holiday season. The possibilities are endless, and it’s all about what flavors you love. So go ahead, mix things up and make these thumbprint cookies truly your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions for Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
To keep your delicious thumbprint cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay lovely for up to a week—if they last that long! If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure they’re completely cooled, then layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll last for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
If you prefer them warm, you can reheat them in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This will bring back that fresh-baked aroma and make them wonderfully soft again. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they might lose that perfect chewy texture!
Nutritional Information for Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
Each thumbprint cookie is a delightful treat, packing a good balance of flavor and nutrition. On average, one cookie contains about 150 calories, with 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. You’ll also find approximately 8 grams of sugar and 50 mg of sodium in each delicious bite. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you choose. So, whether you’re indulging or sharing, you can enjoy these festive cookies without too much guilt—just remember to savor each one!
FAQ About Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas
Can I use different types of preserves?
Absolutely! You can mix it up with any fruit preserves you like—raspberry, apricot, or even lemon curd for a tangy twist. Just make sure they’re thick enough to hold their shape in the cookie well!
How should I store leftover cookies?
To keep your thumbprint cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and roll it into balls, then refrigerate them for a few hours or even overnight. Just take them out to come to room temperature before baking.
What if my cookies spread too much?
If your cookies spread more than you’d like, it could be due to the butter being too warm. Make sure it’s softened but not melted. Also, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
Can I substitute the butter with a different fat?
You can try using coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute if you’re looking for a dairy-free option. Just keep in mind that it may slightly change the flavor and texture!
Call to Action
I’d love to hear about your adventures with these thumbprint cookies! Did you try any fun variations or flavors? Please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out for you! If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and share it with your friends and family. Let’s spread the joy of baking this Christmas season together!
Imprimer
Thumb Print Cookies Recipes Christmas: 7 Joyful Variations
- Temps Total: 35 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A classic Christmas treat, thumbprint cookies are easy to make and delicious.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves (your choice)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until combined.
- Roll dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Press your thumb in the center of each ball to create a well.
- Fill each well with fruit preserves.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden.
- Let the cookies cool before serving.
Notes
- You can use any fruit preserves you like.
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- These cookies freeze well.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 15 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 8g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 30mg
Mots-clés: thumb print cookies recipes christmas
