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Home » Dessert Recipes

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Last updated on August 19, 2022Originally published November 26, 20192 CommentsSabine

Jump to Recipe

Everything about this Christmas cookie recipe is festive and fun for the holidays. You won't believe how easy they are to make, and you only need 5 ingredients + fillings. These thumbprint cookies are soft, tender, buttery, and incredible, just like Linzer Cookies.

colorful thumbprint cookies sitting on a green plate
Jump to:
  • Photo instructions
  • Expert tips for success
  • FAQs
  • Storage
  • Freezing
  • More Holiday recipes to try
  • Recipe

Photo instructions

Beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until it's soft and creamy, about 2 minutes.

sugar and butter creamed together in bowl

Mix in the egg yolks, salt, and vanilla to the butter mixture. Blend together for 1 minute. Add in flour until everything starts coming together. Mix on low speed. Then using your hands knead until the dough is smooth.

butter cookie dough shaped into a ball in a mixing bowl

Divide the dough evenly into 40 dough balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Using your hands to form them into balls.

a tablespoon filled with cookie dough
cookie dough balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

Then roll the balls into sugar, sprinkles, crushed candies, nuts, or anything else that you enjoy.

dipping cookie balls into colored sugar and nuts

Place the cookies on a baking sheet and space them every 1.5-2 inches. Using a ½ teaspoon, push the back of it into the center of each cookie to make a hole. Then fill with your favorite fillings.

pressing the back of a tablespoon onto cookie dough balls to create a thumbprint dent

Bake them for 9-10 minutes. They should appear pale, puffy, and matte. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes then place them on a wire rack so they can cool completely.

baking sheet with baked and filled thumbprint cookies

Expert tips for success

  • Make sure to spoon and level the flour, so that the cookies don't end up too dense. Using dough that has too much flour is difficult to work with and won't hold its shape well. Also, too much flour makes them dry and hard.
  • Be gentle when adding the hole in the center. Don't be aggressive or push too hard when you are adding the hole to the center of the cookie.
  • Don't overbake them, or they will dry out.
  • Allow the baked cookies to sit on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before moving them.
several christmas cookies with an ornament on a green napkin

FAQs

Why did they crack?

Some of the cookies will crack, and it's just part of it. There isn't a ton you can do to prevent it from happening, and they will still taste and look good even when cracked. You can see in the pictures that some of mine are also lightly cracked. That is normal and nothing to worry about.

Why did they spread?

If you end up with cookies that seem to spread a lot, there are some things you can do differently to help prevent as much spreading. First of all, most cookies will spread at least a little bit. Don't be too concerned about this, because it's normal.

It's essential no matter what cookies you are baking not to use a hot cookie sheet. You should allow it to cool between batches, so it's back to room temperature. Otherwise, as soon as you place the dough ball on the pan, it will start baking and spreading immediately.

half eaten thumbprint cookie on top of two other cookies

Storage

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 2 weeks, so they are perfect for making ahead of time.

Freezing

Keep them in a freezer-safe storage bag or container for up to 1 month. To serve them, place them in the refrigerator the night before so they can thaw out and then let come to room temperature.

More Holiday recipes to try

  • Gingerbread Men Cookies
  • Eggnog Truffles
  • Chocolate Rum Truffles
  • Eggnog Gingerbread Tiramisu
  • Eggnog Gingerbread Cheesecake

Recipe

several christmas cookies with an ornament

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Author Sabine Venier
Calories: 81kcal
Servings: 40 cookies
Prep 1 hour
Cook 20 minutes
Total 1 hour 20 minutes
Print Pin Rate
Everything about this delicious Christmas cookie recipe is festive and fun for the holidays. You won't believe how easy they are to make, and you only need 5 ingredients + fillings.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226g)
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar (100g)
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 vanilla bean* (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (300g)

Roll in 1 cup of sugar, nuts, or sprinkles

    Fill with ½ cup of chocolate spread, nuts, curd, jam, or Hershey kisses

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
      • With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy for about 1-2 minutes.
      • Add egg yolks, salt, and vanilla* and mix for about 1 minute.
      • Stir in flour until it comes together on low speed. Knead by hand a few times until smooth.
      • Separate the dough into 40 equally sized portions. Form balls with your hands and roll in sugar, sprinkles, nuts, or whatever you like.
      • Place half of the cookies on the prepared baking sheet with about 1.5-2 inches space in between. Press the back of a ½ teaspoon in the center and fill up with chocolate, nuts, jam, peanut butter, or Hershey kisses. 
      • Bake one sheet after another for about 9-10 minutes until they look pale, puffed, and matte. Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. They will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 1 month. When freezing, let them thaw overnight in the fridge and let them come to room temperature before serving.

      Video

      You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 8gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 55mgPotassium: 10mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 155IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.4mg
      Course Dessert
      Cuisine American
      Keyword christmas cookies, christmas thumbprint cookies recipe
      Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!
      « Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe
      Easy Chocolate Rum Truffles »

      About Sabine

      Sabine is a professional baker, cookbook author, and award-winning food photographer.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Danielle

        November 14, 2019 at 8:57 am

        Can you put them in the refrigerator over night, until you serve them the next day?

        Reply
        • Sabine

          November 26, 2019 at 4:25 am

          The baked cookies don't need to be refrigerated. Just store them at room temperature.

          Reply

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      Portrait photo of Sabine Venier

      Hi, my name is Sabine Venier! I’m a cookbook author and food blogger. Here on Also The Crumbs Please you will find my collection of treasured family recipes.

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