Everything about this delicious Christmas thumbprint 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 Christmas thumbprint cookies are soft, tender, buttery, and incredible.
In this blog post, I will give you ideas for fillings for these easy thumbprint cookies as well as provide photos and tips. Plus, I will answer questions like “Why Did My Thumbprint Cookies Spread?”.
If you love these Christmas thumbprint cookies, you should try the softest and best Linzer cookies.
Why this Thumbprint Cookie recipe works:
- They are some of the best Christmas cookies you will ever taste.
- All you need is 5 ingredients for the cookies.
- These thumbprint cookies are so soft and scrumptious they melt in your mouth.
- Perfect for all your holiday parties and events.
- How To Make This Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
- Baker’s Tips
- Substitutions
- Can I Use Salted Butter Instead Of Unsalted?
- Can I Make This Thumbprint Cookie Recipe Gluten-Free?
- What Do I Do If I Don’t Have A Vanilla Bean?
- Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
- Why Did My Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Crack?
- Why Did My Thumbprint Cookies Spread?
- How Long Do Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Last And How To Store Them?
- Can You Freeze Thumbprint Cookies?
- Recipe Video
How To Make This Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
FIRST STEP: Start out by preheating your oven to 350°F / 175°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
SECOND STEP: Beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until it’s soft and creamy. This should take around 1-2 minutes.
THIRD STEP: Mix in the egg yolks, salt, and vanilla to the butter mixture. Blend together for 1 minute.
FOURTH STEP: Add in flour until everything starts coming together. Mix on low speed. Then using your hands knead until the dough is smooth.
FIFTH STEP: Divide the dough evenly into 40 dough balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Using your hands to form them into balls.
SIXTH STEP: Then roll the balls into sugar, sprinkles, crushed candies, nuts, or anything else that you enjoy.
SEVENTH STEP: Place the cookies on a baking sheet and space them every 1.5-2 inches. Using a 1/2 teaspoon, push the back of it into the center of each cookie to make a hole. Then fill with your favorite fillings.
EIGHTH STEP: Bake the thumbprint cookies for 9-10 minutes. They should appear pale, puffy, and matte. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes then place them on a wire rack so they can cool completely.
Baker’s Tips
- Allow the baked cookies to sit on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before moving them.
- Don’t overbake the thumbprint cookies, or they will dry out.
- You can use a variety of flavors for fillings, so don’t be afraid to try several.
- Make sure to spoon and level the flour, so they don’t end up too dense.
Substitutions
Can I Use Salted Butter Instead Of Unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter if you want to, but make sure to omit the salt in the recipe. Otherwise, you will end up with Christmas thumbprint cookies that are way too salty to eat. I prefer the flavor of unsalted butter in almost all my baking recipes. You are welcome to try it both ways to see what you like best.
Can I Make This Thumbprint Cookie Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can turn these into gluten-free thumbprint cookies if you want to. Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. If your favorite blend doesn’t have xantham gum, you will need to add 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour.
What Do I Do If I Don’t Have A Vanilla Bean?
You can easily substitute vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean gives the cookies an amazing, intense flavor, but vanilla extra is terrific too.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Why Did My Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Crack?
Some of the thumbprint 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.
Here are a few tips for the best Thumbprint Cookies (but they aren’t a guarantee they won’t still crack):
- Don’t put too much flour in the dough. Using dough that has too much flour is difficult to work with and won’t hold its shape well. Also, too much flour makes the cookies dry and hard.
- Make sure that the cookie balls are smooth. When the cookies are smooth, this helps them keep their shape and prevent some from cracking.
- 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.
Why Did My Thumbprint Cookies 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.
How Long Do Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Last And How To Store Them?
You should store these Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 2 weeks, so they are perfect for making ahead of time.
Can You Freeze Thumbprint Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze thumbprint cookies. Keep them in a freezer-safe storage bag or container for up to 1 month. To serve them, place the cookies in the refrigerator the night before so they can thaw out.
If you make this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies recipe leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo #alsothecrumbsplease on Instagram! I would love to see your snap!
Can’t get enough cookie recipes? Check out these reader favorite cookie recipes:
Everything about this delicious Christmas thumbprint 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 Christmas thumbprint cookies are soft, tender, buttery, and incredible.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226g)
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar (100g)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 vanilla bean* (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (300g)
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 1/2 tsp 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. These Christmas Thumbprint Cookies 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 at room temperature before serving.
Recipe Video
Recommendations
- Allow the cookies to sit on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before moving them.
- Don't overbake the thumbprint cookies, or they will dry out.
- You can use a variety of flavors for fillings, so don't be afraid to try several.
- Make sure to spoon and level flour, so they don't end up too dense.
Substitutions
Can I Use Salted Butter Instead Of Unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter if you want to, but make sure to omit the salt in the recipe. Otherwise, you will end up with Christmas thumbprint cookies that are way too salty to eat. I prefer the texture and flavor of unsalted butter in almost all my baking recipes. You are welcome to try it both ways to see what you like best.
Can I Make This Thumbprint Cookie Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can turn these gluten-free thumbprint Hershey kiss cookies if you want to. Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. If your favorite blend doesn't have xantham gum, you will need to add 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour.
What Do I Do If I Don't Have A Vanilla Bean?
You can easily substitute vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean gives the cookies an amazing, intense flavor, but vanilla extra is terrific too.
*First, cut off the straight end of the vanilla bean. Then place the tip of your sharp knife below the curled end and cut the vanilla bean through the middle of the bean lengthwise. Although you don't need to cut it all the way through, it's ok when you do so. Then open the vanilla bean and scrape out the flavorful seeds with the back of your knife. Then just use the seeds.
Can you put them in the refrigerator over night, until you serve them the next day?
The baked cookies don’t need to be refrigerated. Just store them at room temperature.