Name: Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder; ½ cup granulated sugar for coating (or your preferred topping); ½ cup seedless jam (or your preferred fillings)

There’s something truly magical about biting into a cookie that’s buttery, soft in the center, with a sweet little surprise waiting right in the middle. This Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is exactly that—a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your holiday go-to!

A wooden tray lined with newspaper-style paper holds a variety of cookies arranged in layers. On the left, dark chocolate cookies with a smooth, shiny center fill one section, some paired with red and white striped candy canes. Next to them, golden cookies with red jam in the center form a stack, topped with candy canes. To the right, light yellow cookies hold a bright yellow filling, arranged in a neat pile. Below, chocolate cookies with nuts and a swirl of chocolate cream are tied with red and white string. At the bottom right, red sugar-coated cookies have a peppermint candy embedded in the center. Outside the tray on a white marbled surface, three jam-filled cookies and one chocolate nut cookie are placed near two candy canes forming a heart shape, with red and white bead garlands and red ribbons adding festive accents. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe because it nails that perfect cookie balance—crisp edges, a soft inside, and endless flavor possibilities. I’ve made them year after year, and they’re always a crowd pleaser!

No chill time needed: You can dive right in and bake these beauties without waiting around.
Super versatile: Customize fillings and toppings to suit whatever flavors you’re craving.
Perfect texture: Crispy on the outside, tender and melt-in-your-mouth inside every single time.
Great for gifting: These cookies hold up well and look beautiful in a holiday cookie box.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here has a job to do—bringing flavor, texture, or structure to these Christmas Thumbprint Cookies. Using quality butter and fresh eggs really makes the difference, plus the cocoa adds that delightful chocolate contrast in half the dough. Here's a little peek at why these components are stars:

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, another small white ceramic bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of sea salt flakes, a small white ceramic bowl of all purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of dutch processed cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of seedless red raspberry jam, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Gives richness and tenderness; make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
Granulated and brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel depth, balancing the sweetness.
Sea salt: Enhances flavor and cuts through the sweetness to keep things balanced.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds a little lift.
All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base for the dough, ensuring cookies hold their shape.
Baking powder: Just a touch for gentle rise and lightness.
Pure vanilla extract: Gives that warm, comforting flavor we all associate with holiday baking.
Dutch processed cocoa powder: For a smooth, rich chocolate flavor without acidity.
Granulated sugar for coating: Adds a pretty sparkle and slight crunch on the outside.
Seedless jam: Classic filling that bursts with flavor; I love raspberry, but any fruit you like works.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe really shines when you put your own spin on it. I love to experiment with fillings and coatings—sometimes a little citrus curd, other times chopped nuts or coconut for texture. The best part? You can mix and match within one batch and watch how it turns into a beautiful, colorful assortment.

Jam variety: Raspberry is my all-time favorite, but try apricot, cherry, or even a tangy lemon curd for a fresh twist.
Coating choices: Granulated sugar is classic, but I like coarse sugar or crushed roasted nuts to add crunch.
Chocolate lovers’ twist: Adding cocoa powder to half the dough creates a gorgeous two-tone batch that kids and adults adore.
After-bake toppings: Nutella dollops or a Hershey’s kiss on warm cookies make everything even more decadent.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A close-up view shows a pile of assorted cookies on a white marbled surface. In the center, there is a light beige cookie with a glossy red jam heart-shaped filling. Surrounding it are bright red round cookies coated with sugar crystals and topped with small white and red peppermint candy pieces. To the left, darker chocolate cookies with chopped nuts and a swirl of chocolate on top are tied with thin red and white string. Behind the central cookie, there are other cookies with a smooth yellow filling in the middle. The background is softly blurred, making the cookies the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy

I start by beating the softened butter with both sugars until the mix turns light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a stand mixer or hand mixer. Don’t skip the scraping down the sides of the bowl; you want everything evenly mixed, so no butter lumps or sugar pockets remain.

Step 2: Add egg, salt, and vanilla

Once the base is fluffy, I crack in a large egg, sprinkle in salt, and pour in vanilla extract. Mixing these in thoroughly gives the dough flavor depth and helps it come together neatly—beat until it looks light and creamy again.

Step 3: Mix dry ingredients into wet

I sift flour and baking powder directly into the bowl to avoid any lumps. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, I gently fold the flour into the wet mixture just until the dough forms. This keeps your cookies tender and not overworked.

Step 4: Divide dough and add cocoa

Half the dough goes into a separate bowl where I gently mix in the cocoa powder—just long enough for a beautiful chocolate hue. This step is fun because you get two flavor profiles from one batch.

Step 5: Roll, coat, and create the thumbprints

Using about 1½ tablespoons of dough, I roll balls smooth in my hands, then roll them in your topping of choice—granulated sugar is my classic pick. To make the signature thumbprint, I press down the center gently with my thumb or a teaspoon. When I want to get playful, I press twice from angles with my index finger to create a subtle heart shape—makes the cookies feel extra special.

Step 6: Add the filling and bake

Fill the indents with your jam or filling of choice—seedless raspberry jam is my tried and true favorite for that perfect balance of sweet and tart. Arrange the cookies about 2 inches apart on parchment paper and bake at 355°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes. Watch closely—overbaking makes them too crunchy, and we’re after tender centers here.

Step 7: Add final toppings while warm

Once out of the oven, if you want to add Nutella, chocolates, or Hershey kisses, now’s the time. The warmth softens the chocolate so it sticks beautifully. Then, let all the cookies cool on a rack before digging in or packing away.

Top Tip

I’ve made these cookies dozens of times now, and the biggest help to me has been focusing on the dough’s texture and baking time. These tips save you from common pitfalls and ensure your cookies come out delicious every batch:

Proper Butter Softness: Use butter just softened, not melted, so the dough comes together without being greasy or dry.
Don’t Overmix Flour: Folding in the flour lightly keeps cookies tender, preventing toughness.
Watch Your Bake Time: Cookies look slightly underdone at 8 minutes and finish baking on the tray—this keeps centers soft.
Create Indents Gently: Press too hard, and you’ll flatten them; too soft, and filling might spill over. A gentle but firm press works best.

How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically keep garnishes simple—extra sprinkling of coarse sugar or finely chopped nuts adds a festive sparkle and slight crunch. Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving makes the cookies look beautifully Christmassy.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or spiced chai tea. At holiday gatherings, I like to serve them alongside a cheese platter or fruit salad for a balanced spread of flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged an assortment of these thumbprint cookies in the shape of a Christmas wreath on a large platter, garnished with fresh cranberries and mint leaves. It was such a hit, and guests loved picking their favorite filling. Wrapping them in tinsel or placing them in decorative cookie tins also makes gift-giving a breeze.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and fresh for up to four days. I recommend layering parchment paper between layers so the jam or toppings don’t stick together.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I freeze them unbaked as dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to bake, just pop them in the oven (add an extra minute or two as needed). You can also freeze fully baked cookies for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To refresh leftover cookies, I warm them for about 5-7 seconds in the microwave or 3-5 minutes in a low oven (300°F/150°C). This perks up the softness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of jam or fillings in this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! The recipe is very adaptable. Fruit jams like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work wonderfully. You can even experiment with lemon curd, Nutella, or caramel for a twist. Just add thicker fillings after baking to prevent spreading.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Nope! That’s what makes this recipe so convenient. The dough is ready to scoop and bake immediately, cutting down your prep time without compromising texture or flavor.

How do I prevent the jam from bubbling over during baking?

Press your thumb or spoon gently but firmly to create a nice cavity that can hold the jam without spilling. Use thicker jams or fruit preserves rather than runny ones, and don’t overfill. Baking at the proper temperature and spacing cookies well also helps.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try substituting the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, but be aware that texture may vary slightly. Adding a little xanthan gum often helps with binding. I recommend testing a small batch first to see how you like the results.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—and in my holiday baking rotation. It’s simple, adaptable, and reliably delicious each time I make it. Whether you’re baking with kids, gift-giving, or just craving a cozy treat, these cookies deliver joy with every bite. Give them a try—I promise you’ll be glad you did!