Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful treat that brings warmth and joy to any holiday gathering. These cookies have a soft, buttery texture with a sweet and flavorful center thanks to the fruit preserves. They’re easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends. The unique thumbprint in the center of the cookie is a signature touch that makes them special. Whether you are baking for a holiday party or just for yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies is not just about enjoying a delicious treat; it’s also about creating memories. Baking cookies can be a wonderful activity to do with kids, friends, or alone. The process of combining ingredients, rolling the dough, and filling the thumbprints with preserves is both fun and fulfilling.
These cookies are versatile and can suit various tastes. You can use any flavor of fruit preserves you like, from raspberry to apricot, making it easy to customize them. They also look great on a cookie platter, adding color and charm to your holiday spread. Plus, the satisfying crunch of the chopped nuts paired with the soft cookie and sweet preserve filling creates a delicious combination that’s hard to resist.
How to Make Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Making Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies is simple, and with the right ingredients and steps, you can create a batch that will impress everyone.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves (e.g., raspberry or apricot)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial so that your cookies bake evenly.
Cream the butter: In a large mixing bowl, take the softened butter and cream it until it is light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this.
Add sugar: Gradually add the sugar to the creamed butter. Mix this until it is smooth and well combined.
Mix in flour and salt: Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture. It’s important to mix until everything is well combined, forming a dough-like consistency.
Stir in vanilla: Once your dough is ready, stir in the vanilla extract. This will give your cookies a lovely flavor.
Roll the dough: Take small amounts of dough and roll them into balls about 1 inch in diameter. These will be your cookie bases.
Prepare baking sheet: Place the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave some space between each ball; they will spread as they bake.
Make thumbprints: Gently press your thumb into the center of each dough ball. This will create an indentation for the filling.
Add preserves: Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of fruit preserves. The amount is up to you—just make sure not to overfill them.
(Optional) Roll in nuts: If you like crunchy textures, you can roll the filled cookies in chopped nuts at this stage.
Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
Cool and dust: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. If desired, dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Serving Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies is an easy task, as they are delightful on their own. Arrange the cookies on a festive platter for a beautiful presentation. You can pair these cookies with a glass of hot cocoa, milk, or even a warm cup of tea.
These cookies are also great for gifting. Place them in a decorative box or a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. They make wonderful holiday presents for friends, family, or coworkers. Sharing the joy of baking with others is what the holiday season is all about.
How to Store Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
To keep your Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last for up to one week. You can also refrigerate them if you want to extend their shelf life; just make sure to separate them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
If you want to store them for an even longer time, consider freezing them. To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Tips to Make Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened and not melted. This is important for achieving the right texture.
Don’t Overmix: When mixing the flour into the dough, be careful not to overmix. This can make the cookies tough.
Choose Quality Preserves: For the best flavor, use high-quality fruit preserves. They will enhance the overall taste of the cookies.
Experiment with Flavors: There are many flavors of preserves you can try. Get creative and use different types to find your favorite!
Chill Dough: If your dough feels too soft to work with, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before rolling. This helps firm it up.
Variation
If you’d like to switch things up, consider making chocolate thumbprint cookies. Simply add cocoa powder to the dough to give it a rich chocolate flavor. You can then fill the centers with chocolate ganache instead of fruit preserves. This chocolate version is perfect for those who love a chocolatey twist on traditional cookies.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies ahead of time! They store well and can be made a few days in advance. Just keep them in an airtight container.
2. Can I use a different type of flour?
You can experiment with different types of flour, such as gluten-free flour. However, the texture may vary, so be prepared for slight changes in the outcome.
3. What can I substitute for fruit preserves?
If you don’t have fruit preserves, you can use chocolate chips, caramel sauce, or even nut butter as a filling. This adds a fun twist to the cookies!
Making Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies is an enjoyable experience that brings people together. The blend of buttery dough and sweet fruit preserves makes them a holiday favorite. Happy baking!
Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the sugar to the creamed butter and mix until smooth.
- Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until well combined into a dough-like consistency.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Roll small amounts of dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Gently press your thumb into the center of each ball to create an indentation.
- Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of fruit preserves.
- (Optional) Roll filled cookies in chopped nuts.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then dust with powdered sugar if desired.