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 such as coarse sugar, powdered sugar, finely chopped roasted nuts, or desiccated coconut); ½ cup seedless jam (or your preferred filling such as lemon curd, fruit curd, hard candies, Nutella, chocolates, Hershey kisses)

There’s something truly nostalgic and cozy about these little bites of joy—the buttery dough, the sweet jam nestled in the center, and that perfect crumbly-soft texture. This Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is one I return to every holiday season because it brings smiles with every bite and fills the kitchen with that warm, festive aroma.

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 with you because it’s one of those holiday classics that feels special yet is surprisingly simple to make. The joy comes not just from eating them but from customizing flavors and sharing them with loved ones.

Easy to Make: No chill time required, so you can get these cookies in the oven fast—even during busy holiday days.
Soft & Buttery Texture: Crispy edges with soft, tender centers that practically melt in your mouth.
Customizable Flavors: Use different jams, toppings, or add cocoa powder for fun variations—perfect to mix up your cookie boxes.
Keeps Well: These cookies stay fresh and soft for days, so you can bake ahead and save time closer to Christmas.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here are straightforward pantry staples, but together they create a cookie that’s both rich and tender with just the right balance of sweetness. Using good quality butter and fresh vanilla really makes a difference in flavor, so don’t skip on those.

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: Softened butter adds richness and tenderness—unsalted lets you control the saltiness better.
Granulated sugar & brown sugar: The combo gives sweetness plus slight caramel notes and moisture for soft crumb.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to enhance flavor—don’t underestimate the power of a tiny bit of salt in sweets.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture, helping with that soft texture inside.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed while keeping the cookies tender.
Baking powder: Delivers a gentle lift so the cookies don’t feel dense or heavy.
Pure vanilla extract: Boosts the overall flavor and warmth—use good quality for best results.
Dutch processed cocoa powder: Optional, but adds a lovely richness and pairs perfectly with fruity fillings.
Sugar for coating: Adds a sparkly crunch or customize with nuts, coconut, or coarse sugar—your choice!
Seedless jam: The star of the thumbprint! Raspberry jam is my favorite for its balance of sweet and tart, but lemon curd or apricot work beautifully too.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is. I often switch up the fillings and coatings depending on what I have in the pantry or what flavors I feel like exploring that year.

Chocolate Variation: Mixing cocoa powder into half the dough creates a beautiful chocolate version. Last Christmas, I did half vanilla, half chocolate, so the cookie box looked festive and offered variety—everyone loved it!
Toppings Swap: Instead of rolling in sugar, try crushed pistachios or finely shredded coconut for added texture and flavor twists.
Fillings Beyond Jam: Sometimes I use lemon curd for a zingy burst or place a Hershey’s Kiss on top right after baking for a melty chocolate surprise.
Nut-Free or Vegan Mods: With minor ingredient swaps (vegan butter, egg replacer), these cookies adapt well for special diets.

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 & Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened unsalted butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This step sets the stage for a tender cookie and adds lightness. I usually scrape down the sides once or twice to ensure everything folds in evenly—don't rush it!

Step 2: Add Egg, Salt & Vanilla Extract

Next, mix in the egg, a pinch of sea salt, and vanilla extract until everything’s fully combined and the batter feels light. The vanilla is a little magic potion here—using good quality really lifts the flavor, so don't skimp on it.

Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients & Split Dough

Sift the flour and baking powder into your wet mix, then gently fold until the dough just comes together. Take care not to overmix to avoid tough cookies. At this point, take half the dough and set it aside—this is where the fun begins!

Step 4: Make Some Dough Chocolatey

Stir cocoa powder into the remaining dough until evenly incorporated. The chocolate dough pairs beautifully with fruity or nutty fillings. I love seeing the dough color contrast when I bake half vanilla and half chocolate—it's so festive.

Step 5: Scoop, Shape & Coat

Use a cookie scoop (1½ tablespoons works great) to portion out balls of dough—rolling them smooth in your hands helps avoid cracks. Then, roll each ball in your chosen coating: regular sugar, coarse sugar, nuts, or coconut. This adds a delightful crunch and sparkle.

Step 6: Create the Thumbprint & Fill

Press your thumb or a teaspoon gently into the center of each ball to make an indentation. For a fun twist, I sometimes create a heart shape by pressing twice at angles with my index finger—super charming for holiday cookie boxes! Fill each well with your chosen jam or curd. If you're using toppings like Nutella or chocolate kisses, save those for after baking.

Step 7: Bake & Cool

Arrange cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 355°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes—watch closely so they don’t overbake; you want them soft, not crispy. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on a rack before adding any melt-in-your-mouth toppings like Nutella or chocolates.

Top Tip

From baking dozens of batches over the years, I’ve learned that little details can make or break your Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe. Here are a few nuggets that I swear by to get perfect cookies every time.

Butter Temperature: Always use butter softened to room temperature but not melted—this helps fluff up the dough when creaming with sugar.
Avoid Overbaking: It's tempting to keep them longer for extra crispness, but those last couple minutes can dry them out. Pull them as soon as edges start to set.
Fillings & Toppings Timing: Add melty fillings like Nutella or chocolate kisses immediately after baking while the cookie is warm for perfect adhesion.
Rolling Technique: Rolling the dough balls smoothly without cracks keeps the cookies looking polished and prevents crumbling after baking.

How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with a sprinkle of sanding sugar or a dusting of powdered sugar for that snow-kissed holiday look. Sometimes, I top the jam with a small mint leaf or edible glitter for gatherings—it makes the cookies look extra festive without much work.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or a rich mug of hot cocoa. For holiday parties, I often serve alongside a cheese board or fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I arrange these cookies in a beautiful tin lined with wax paper, alternating vanilla and chocolate versions for visual appeal. I’ve also layered them in clear jars with colorful ribbons for a charming homemade gift that always delights.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Thumbprint Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their soft texture beautifully for up to 5 days. Just make sure they’re completely cool before storing to prevent moisture buildup.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully—either raw dough balls rolled and thumbprinted or fully baked cookies. When freezing dough, I wrap each ball individually and then store in a single container to freeze. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftovers, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave softens them nicely, and they taste freshly baked. Avoid longer times which can dry them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of jam for the filling?

Absolutely! You can use any seedless jam or fruit curd you like. Raspberry, apricot, strawberry, or lemon curd are all fantastic options that bring different flavors to your cookies. Just make sure the jam isn’t too watery to avoid soggy cookies.

Why are my thumbprint cookies spreading too much?

If your cookies spread too much in the oven, it might be due to using butter that’s too soft or warm, or working the dough too much. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill your dough briefly if your kitchen is very warm. Also, avoid overmixing once the flour is added.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend 1:1 for the regular flour in this recipe. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum to help with texture. The cookies might be slightly different in texture but still delicious.

How do I prevent the jam from leaking out during baking?

To prevent jam from leaking, press the thumbprint indentation deep enough to hold the filling securely. Use thicker jams or curds rather than watery ones. Some bakers also chill the filled cookies for a few minutes before baking to help set the jam in place.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking traditions—not just because they're delicious, but because they’re a canvas for creativity and a joy to share. They bring that warm, nostalgic spirit to any gathering and make perfect gifts, too. I can’t wait for you to make a batch and see how you like customizing your own version. Happy baking and happy holidays!