Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

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Light, buttery, almond flavored shortbread thumbprint cookies have been the most requested cookie I make for almost as long as I can remember. My friend Augusta gave me this recipe years ago and it became a forever favorite at first bite.

small jam thumbprint cookies stacked on square plate

Thumbprint Cookies with Jam

There’s something so endearing and adorable about jam thumbprint cookies. Fruity jam adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the flaky shortbread cookie. The easy glaze on top of these thumbprint cookies adds a beautiful touch.

These cookies are great as a snack, tucked into lunches, or when served as dessert. I especially enjoy them with cafe con leche, chai, or a London Fog on a chilly afternoon.

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Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

With just the right amount of sweetness, filled with jam, and then lightly drizzled with icing, these cookies are a hit with everyone who tries them. Don’t be fooled by their unassuming appearance. They’ll surprise you by just melting in your mouth.

Almond extract is what gives these cookies just a hint of almond flavor. It adds a nice layer of nuttiness that complements the buttery flavor of the shortbread cookie and the fruitiness of the jam.

close up photo of thumbprint cookies with jam, drizzled with glaze

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

I often reach for a jar of my family’s favorite homemade peach jam to use in these cookies. You can use whatever flavor of sweet preserves you like. I’ve made these cookies with several varieties of jam and the cookies turn out delicious every time.

I typically just use whichever flavors of jam I happen to have on hand at the time. For this last batch, I used apricot jam and a mixed berry jam. You really can’t go wrong with the jam choice. If you enjoy eating the jam, you’ll likely love it in the cookies.

filling thumbrint cookies with jam on parchment tray

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies

Chilling the dough for a solid hour in the refrigerator is an important step in this recipe. So even if you’re in a hurry to bake these cookies, don’t skip that step.

Chilling the dough helps keep the butter in this recipe solid. And the cold butter helps the cookies maintain their structure in the oven.

When it comes to filling thumbprints with jam, less is more. A quarter teaspoon or so should do it. Too much and you risk disrupting the structure of the cookie and the jam to cookie ratios. (Yes, jam to cookie ratios are a thing!)

baked thumbprint cookies on white tray with napkin

The last thing to remember here is to be extra careful not to overbake these cookies! You want to take these cookies out of the oven before they are even slightly brown.

Overbaking will result in a much harder cookie without that crumby delicate shortbread texture. If you love thumbprint cookies like we do, you’ll want to try Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies and Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies too.

jam thumbprint cookies on wire cooling rack

Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the flour and almond extract. Beat again to combine. Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

When ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into 1″ balls or use a 1″ scoop to place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Press down on the top of each cookie and use your thumb to create a small indent. After all the indents are made, fill the indents with about ½ teaspoon of jam.

Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the oven before the cookies are browned. Let cool on the trays for 1-2 minutes and then remove to a wire cooling rack. 

almond glaze on whisk with thumbprint cookies in background

To make the glaze, add the almond extract to the powdered sugar and then slowly add the milk. Stir constantly and stop adding milk when you reach the consistency of icing. It should drizzle off the tip of a spoon in a thin white stream.

When the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle the icing over the tops. Allow them to sit until hardened and then store in an airtight container.

glazed thumbprint cookies on cooling rack

Shortbread cookies don’t get as much love as they deserve, in my opinion. Delicious, simple, and not-too-sweet, they appeal to the palettes of kids and adults alike.

If you’re looking for more great shortbread cookies, I recommend Sugared Shortbread Cookies for sure. They’re a simple cookie sprinkled with sugar crystals that you can bake and serve all year round.

If the perfect slice of cinnamon toast met Pecan Sandies, these Cinnamon Pecan Shortbread Bars would be the result. This is a tender shortbread, filled with pecans, and then generously topped with cinnamon sugar.

close up photo of thumbprint cookies with jam, drizzled with glaze

Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread is a flaky shortbread that is barely crisp on the outside. These shortbread bites melt in your mouth with chocolate and just a hint of coffee flavor.

Buttery and just barely sweetened, Brown Sugar Whole Wheat Shortbread is a delicious surprise. The addition of whole wheat changes the texture and adds a new dimension to the flavor as well.

For a seasonal shortbread treat, Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies are delightful. They look impressive and festive but take hardly any time in the kitchen making them perfect to whip up during the busy holiday season.

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close up photo of thumbprint cookies with jam, drizzled with glaze

Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

4.72 from 14 votes
Light, buttery, almond flavored shortbread thumbprint cookies are a kid and adult favorite.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 40 small cookies

Ingredients 

COOKIE INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • cup sugar
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • approximately ½ cup any flavor jam I used our favorite peach jam

GLAZE INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  • Combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the flour and almond extract. Beat again to combine. Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  • When ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into 1" balls or use a 1" scoop to place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Press down on the top of each cookie and use your thumb to create a small indent. After all the indents are made, fill the indents with about ½ teaspoon of jam.
  • Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the oven before the cookies are browned. Let cool on the trays for 1-2 minutes and then remove to a wire cooling rack. 
  • To make the glaze, add the almond extract to the powdered sugar and then slowly add the milk. Stir constantly and stop adding milk when you reach the consistency of icing. It should drizzle off the tip of a spoon in a thin white stream.
  • When the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle the icing over the tops. Allow them to sit until hardened and then store in an airtight container.

Notes

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: These cookies freeze beautifully. When the icing has hardened, layer them into containers with wax paper between the layers. They will keep in the freezer for at least a month. They would probably keep much longer than that, but I wouldn’t know. Mine never last that long.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal · Carbohydrates: 14g · Protein: 1g · Fat: 5g · Saturated Fat: 3g · Cholesterol: 12mg · Sodium: 42mg · Potassium: 11mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 8g · Vitamin A: 142IU · Vitamin C: 1mg · Calcium: 4mg · Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally published 8/12/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/13/23}

close up photo of thumbprint cookies with jam, drizzled with glaze

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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  1. Sandra says

    Tried these. Followed recipe exactly. Turned out hard as hockey pucks. So dissapointung. Since this is a shortbread should we have used confectioner sugar?

    • Mary says

      I’ve never had this happen when I make these and I’m literally made them dozens if not hundreds of times over the years. This isn’t a traditional shortbread and it is a pretty delicate cookie. It should absolutely melt in your mouth. It doesn’t work the same way with powdered sugar. Did you possibly substitute another ingredient?

    • Crystal says

      The same thing happened to me, and I followed the recipe to a T. The only thing that I can think is that mine may have been over baked, but mine were still raw after 10 minutes. I’m going to throw some bread in with them and hope they soften up overnight.

    • Mary says

      I’ve only ever made this with salted butter. Unsalted will work fine though. I’d add a tiny pinch of salt if using unsalted butter.

  2. Brenda Church says

    These sound great. Long time ago. I used to buy chocolate marble short bread cookies. They just melted in my mouth. No longer can I find them or know how to make them. Can you help? I think you might be the wizard of short bread. 🙂

  3. hethir says

    a couple of people mentioned that theses came out really hard. i think they over baked. after 10 minutes, i too thought that they were now done. i removed from oven anyway and cooled on pan for 2 minutes. they were still a bit soft when i transferred to the cooking rack. now that they have cooled a bit, they have formed up. they are soft and perfect.
    i rolled mine in chopped almonds prior to baking. i also made these using vegan butter and did not ice them. delicious!5 stars

  4. Cheryle says

    Has anyone tried making these or experimented with making a gluten free version. I recently learned I am gluten intolerant and so miss out on Christmas cookies.
    There was a time that these were my favorite cookie.
    Perhaps a 1 to 1 flour product?

    • Mary Younkin says

      If you have a GF flour blend that consistently works in 1:1 substitution, it could work. If you do try it, please let us know how it works out for you.

    • Bonnie Matthews says

      I was wondering the same thing. If anyone has tried it, I would love to know what the results were. My granddaughter has celiac disease, and I know she would love these if they turn out good.

    • Mary Younkin says

      Unfortunately, this is not a recipe that I’ve had great luck adapting for GF, Bonnie. I really tried my best, but it simply wasn’t forgiving at all.

  5. Leslie says

    A new favorite. I am going to do some experiments with the basic recipe and try different extracts. Going to give maple a try by request from my 23 year old son who loved the almond ones.5 stars

  6. Giovanna says

    Fabulous recipe! I cannot stop eating these cookies! I made them according to the directions and didn’t have any of the issues that others reported. I also used a gluten free flour blend and it worked perfectly, Thank you and happy holidays!5 stars

  7. Suzie says

    These almond thumbprint cookies sound wonderful. Is it possible to add a few chocolate morsels instead of jam in the center? My kids are chocolate fiends. Thank you!

  8. Donna says

    Love these cookies! You can’t eat just one. Definitely do not overtake. After 10 minutes you think they are not done but they are. Elegant cookie great for displaying. Love this recipe!

  9. Rose C. says

    Was wondering if I can use star anise ? I would have to fine grate it. Also don’t know how much to add?

    • Mary Younkin says

      It sounds like the butter might have been too soft. Or the flour measurement might have been slightly off. They shouldn’t have flattened out. Is it possible that the dough was warm by the time they went into the oven?

  10. Kathy Davenport says

    These were crumbly n couldn’t put a thumb print in they fell apart r all the ingredients listed correctly won’t make these again

    • Mary Younkin says

      I’m so sorry they didn’t work for you. I’ve made these countless times exactly as written above. With so few ingredients, the recipe doesn’t allow for substitutions or changes. Did you use real butter and all of the ingredients listed?

  11. Maura says

    I have little thumb print cookie cutters that I bought from Williams & Sonoma, so I’d need to roll out the dough, can I still use this recipe?5 stars

  12. Cathy says

    I do not indent or add jelly until they come out of oven. Indent cookies with a wine stopper while still hot, add jelly!! The cookies do not “spread out” and look great!!

  13. Pam hurst says

    These are BY FAR the best shortbread recipe!!
    I made one foobab that actually gave it an amazing texture: I put 1 tsp of cream of tarter.
    We used orange marmalade (my favorite) and rasberry jam(kids favorite) for the filling. Trust me, you WILL NOT go wrong using this recipe, and you will love my foobab added to it!:)3 stars

  14. Sheila Fulks says

    I tried these cookies I had to add an extra 3/4 cup butter because the dough was so dry I could not make a ball out of it. In the baking process I think probably do to the extra butter a couple of them melted and spread out really thin. Waiting for them cool now. They look good.