Basic Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are a classic Christmas cookie option for good reason: they're easy to customize and can easily be baked ahead and frozen. Let the kids help out with this easy thumbprint cookie recipe. Once you've got the basic recipe down, you'll also love our eight delicious thumbprint cookie flavor variations.
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Recipe Summary
Ingredients
Directions
Lemon-Coconut Thumbprints
Prepare dough as directed, except add 1 teaspoon lemon, lime, or orange zest with the egg yolks. Roll balls in egg whites then in 1 cup shredded coconut. Bake and let cool as directed. Fill each with 1/2 tsp. lemon or lime curd.
Linzer Thumbprints
Prepare dough, bake, and let cool as directed. Once cool, place 2/3 cup powdered sugar in a large plastic bag. Add cookies, a few at a time, shaking to coat. Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon raspberry preserves. Top with toasted sliced almonds.
Almond-Cherry Thumbprints
Prepare dough as directed, except add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with the egg yolks. Roll balls in 2 lightly beaten egg whites then in 1 cup finely chopped slivered almonds. Bake and let cool as directed. Fill each with 1 tsp. cherry pie filling, placing a cherry on top.
Triple Chocolate Thumbprints
Prepare dough as directed, except reduce flour to 1 1/4 cups and add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the flour. Roll balls in 2 lightly beaten egg whites then in 1 cup chocolate sprinkles. Bake as directed. Immediately press a chocolate Kiss into each.
Mint Sparklers
Prepare dough as directed, except add 1/2 teaspoon mint extract with the egg yolks. Do not grease cookie sheet. Roll balls in coarse red or green sugar. Bake as directed. Immediately place a red or green candy coating disk in the center of each cookie. Bake 1 minute more. If desired, use a toothpick to swirl melted disks slightly.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Prepare dough as directed, except roll balls in 2 lightly beaten egg whites then in 1 cup finely chopped peanuts. Bake and let cool as directed. Fill with 1/2 teaspoon creamy peanut butter and 1/2 teaspoon grape jelly. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
Sprinkle Stars
Prepare dough as directed, except do not grease cookie sheet. Roll balls in assorted nonpareils. Bake and cool as directed. Spoon 3/4 cup canned or homemade vanilla frosting into a decorating bag fitted with a small star tip. Pipe frosting into each center.
Walnuts and Jam Thumbprints
Prepare dough as directed, except roll balls in two lightly beaten egg whites then in 1 cup finely chopped walnuts. Bake and let cool as directed. Fill each with 1/2 tsp. apricot or strawberry preserves.
Cookie Storage:
Layer filled Mint Sparklers and Triple Chocolate between waxed paper in an airtight container. Layer and store all others unfilled. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. To serve, thaw (if frozen) and fill as directed.
