Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies for Festive Holiday Baking

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some delightful Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies? I remember one year when my son, Jake, decided to help me bake these cookies. Let’s just say we ended up with more chocolate on our faces than in the cookies! These sweet treats are perfect for holiday gatherings and make great gifts too.

Why You’ll Love It

• They’re easy to make and fun to decorate.
• The combination of chocolate and jam is simply irresistible.
• They add a festive touch to any holiday cookie platter.

Pure Comfort

These cookies are pure comfort food, bringing back memories of family gatherings and joyful celebrations. The rich chocolate paired with a fruity jam filling is a match made in heaven, making every bite a little piece of happiness.

What You Need

• 2 sticks 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
• 200 g 1 cup granulated sugar – You can substitute with coconut sugar for a healthier option.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – Feel free to use almond extract for a different flavor.
• 240 g 2 cups all-purpose flour – For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• 50 g 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – Make sure it’s unsweetened for the best flavor.
• 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp salt – A pinch of sea salt enhances the chocolate flavor.
• 160 g 1/2 cup fruit jam (raspberry or apricot) – Any flavor jam you love works here!

Time to Cook

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 12 minutes | Total: 32 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: Yes, you can make the dough a day in advance.

Steps to Make It

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350 °F. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly. You’ll want that warm, inviting aroma filling your kitchen soon!
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is pale and airy.
3. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. The sweet scent of vanilla will start to fill the air, making your kitchen feel cozy and festive.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. This helps to combine the dry ingredients evenly, ensuring your cookies have a consistent texture throughout.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want your dough to be soft and slightly sticky.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each cookie.
7. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each ball. This is where the jam will go, so make sure it’s deep enough to hold a good amount!
8. Fill each indentation with about a teaspoon of jam. Don’t be shy; this is where the flavor really shines through. The vibrant color of the jam will make your cookies look festive.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked.
10. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and makes sure they don’t crumble.

Make It Perfect

• If you want to get creative, try using different flavored jams or even chocolate ganache for the filling.
• For a fun twist, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top of the jam before baking.
• Always let the cookies cool completely before storing them to maintain their texture.

Mix It Up

• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dough for an extra flavor kick.
• Use white chocolate chips instead of jam for a different filling option.

Perfect Partners

• These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a warm glass of milk.
• For an adult twist, serve them alongside a rich cup of coffee.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful addition to your holiday baking lineup. They’re easy to make, delicious, and sure to bring smiles to your family and friends. So, gather your loved ones and bake up a batch of these festive treats!

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies for Festive Holiday Baking

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies combine rich chocolate and fruity jam for a festive holiday treat. These easy-to-make cookies bring comfort and joy, perfect for family gatherings and holiday cookie platters.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Main

• 2 sticks unsalted butter softened; for dairy-free option, use vegan butter
• 200 g granulated sugar can substitute coconut sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or almond extract
• 240 g all-purpose flour for gluten-free use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
• 50 g unsweetened cocoa powder make sure it’s unsweetened
• 1/4 tsp salt sea salt enhances flavor
• 160 g fruit jam raspberry or apricot, any flavor works

Equipment

• Oven
• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add vanilla extract to the mixture and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
7. Place dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each.
8. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each ball.
9. Fill each indentation with about a teaspoon of jam.
10. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
11. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.