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Thumbprint Cookies

These delicious little morsels of buttery goodness, stuffed with preserves or jam, are just too good to resist. As a child, I recall seeing my grandmother carefully press her thumb into each ball of cookie dough to form the ideal tiny well that would contain a burst of fruity sweetness.
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Course: Baking, Dessert, Holiday, Treat
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick ½ cup butter, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg yolk reserve the egg white if you want to gloss the tops
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts optional
  • ½ cup jam preserves, or spread of your choice

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Mix dry ingredients:
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar:
  1. In a larger mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolk and vanilla:
  1. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Combine dry and wet:
  1. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape the cookies:
  1. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. If using nuts, roll each ball in the chopped walnuts, pressing gently to adhere.
Make the thumbprint:
  1. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, press gently into the center of each ball to create a small well.
Optional gloss:
  1. If desired, lightly brush the tops of the cookies with the reserved egg white for a glossy finish.
Bake:
  1. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
Add filling:
  1. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately spoon about ½ teaspoon of your favorite jam or preserves into each thumbprint.
Cool:
  1. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Enjoy!