Marry This Pioneer Woman Jam Thumbprint Cookies recipe is a buttery and soft cookie, which is made with unsalted butter and raspberry jam. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, perfect for holiday trays, and ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup thick raspberry jam, or jam of your choice
How To Make Pioneer Woman Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape and Coat: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to coat the outside.
- Create Thumbprints and Chill: Place the sugar-coated balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a small round spoon to gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie. Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.
- Fill and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the chilled cookies from the freezer and fill the center of each one with a small spoonful of jam. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Tips
- Why do I need to chill the dough? Chilling the dough before baking is a crucial step. It solidifies the butter, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them maintain their classic round shape.
- How do you get a tender, soft cookie? The key is to not overmix the dough after you add the flour. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cookies tough.
- Can I use a different kind of jam? Absolutely! While raspberry is classic, these cookies are delicious with apricot, strawberry, or even fig jam. Use a thick jam for the best results.
- How do I prevent the jam from spreading everywhere? Chilling the indented cookies before filling them helps the jam stay put. Also, be careful not to overfill the indentations; a small spoonful is all you need.
What To Serve With Jam Thumbprint Cookies
These classic cookies are a perfect treat on their own or as part of a larger spread:
- On a holiday cookie platter
- With a hot cup of tea or coffee
- With a cold glass of milk
How To Store Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze: You can freeze the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. For dough, you can freeze the indented, unfilled dough balls and then fill and bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 108 kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Sodium: 45mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why did my cookies spread out and become flat?
This is almost always because the dough was too warm. Chilling the shaped cookies in the freezer for a full 30 minutes is the best way to prevent this. Using butter that is too soft can also contribute to spreading.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough and store it, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it soften slightly at room temperature before it becomes easy enough to roll into balls.
What’s the best tool for making the u0022thumbprintu0022?
While your thumb works perfectly, for a more uniform look, you can use the back of a round 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to press the indentation into the center of each cookie.
Pioneer Woman Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy24
servings15
minutes12
minutes108
kcalClassic buttery shortbread-style cookies with a sweet jam-filled center, perfect for holiday trays or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup thick raspberry jam
Directions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the butter, 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat them in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and press an indentation into the center of each ball.
- Chill the entire sheet of cookies in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Fill the centers of the chilled cookies with jam.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Cool on the sheet before serving.
Notes
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the shaped cookies before baking is essential to prevent them from spreading.
- Don’t Overmix: For a soft, tender cookie, avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added.
- Jam Variations: Feel free to try different thick jams like apricot, strawberry, or fig for a fun twist.
- Cool Before Storing: Ensure the cookies are completely cool before storing them to prevent them from becoming soft.
