Best 8 Vanilla Thumbprints Recipes

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In the realm of classic confectionery delights, vanilla thumbprints stand out as a beloved treat that evokes cherished memories and captivates taste buds with their timeless charm. These delicate cookies, characterized by their alluring indentations and tender crumb, offer a delightful canvas for a variety of fillings and toppings, making them a versatile addition to any dessert spread. Whether you prefer a classic vanilla-infused filling or a more adventurous combination of flavors, this versatile recipe can be tailored to suit your unique preferences, ensuring a culinary experience that is both nostalgic and captivating.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

BUTTER AND JAM THUMBPRINTS



Butter and Jam Thumbprints image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 1h8m

Yield about 24 to 30 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened
2/3 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped from pod, or 1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup raspberry, cherry or strawberry jam

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  • Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, whip the butter and the sugar with a hand-held mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients in 2 additions, mixing just until incorporated.
  • Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls with a cookie or ice cream scoop and roll in sugar. Place about 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, about 1/2-inch deep. Fill each indentation with about 3/4 teaspoon jam.
  • Bake cookies until the edges are golden, about 15 minutes. (For even color, rotate the pans from top to bottom about halfway through baking.) Cool cookies on the baking sheets. Serve.
  • Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.

PERFECT THUMBPRINT COOKIES



Perfect Thumbprint Cookies image

My mother, Pauline, made really nice thumbprint cookies, but I never wrote down her recipe. I knew the ingredients, but unless you have the right proportions, you won't get that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. So, I did an image search and found a recipe that looked very similar, credited to a great-grandma named Mitzi. Since my last name is Mitzewich, that pretty much sealed the deal. In case you can't decide between a shortbread-focused cookie and a more jammy one, here's how to make both.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Thumbprint Cookie Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
⅓ cup unsifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon almond extract
¼ teaspoon fine salt
1 large egg yolk
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup white sugar, or as needed
½ cup fruit jam, divided
1 cup powdered sugar, or as needed
1 tablespoon milk, or as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Mix butter and powdered sugar together with a rubber spatula until creamy. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, salt, and egg yolk. Mix with the spatula. Add flour and blend until just combined.
  • Use a sorbet scoop to portion dough into 1/2-ounce (1-tablespoon) balls. Roll balls in a plate of white sugar to coat; roll again between your palms. Place several inches apart on a silicone-lined baking sheet. Flatten balls lightly with your fingers.
  • To make shortbread cookies with a little jam, poke a well into each cookie using the end of a thick wooden spoon dusted with powdered sugar or using one of your fingers. Fill cookies with fruit jam. Tap baking sheet against the counter to let jam settle.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until tops are barely blonde and bottoms are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack before icing.
  • Meanwhile, mix powdered sugar with a little milk until you have a consistency that will hold its shape when piped. Pipe icing on top of cookies in a zigzag pattern. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
  • For a more jam-forward cookie, press your thumb into the cookies to make large, shallow indentations. Spoon in jam. Tap baking sheet against the counter.
  • Bake until not quite golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let rest on pan for 5 minutes before transferring a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138.9 calories, Carbohydrate 22.8 g, Cholesterol 22.5 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 33.2 mg, Sugar 15.1 g

HAZELNUT THUMBPRINTS



Hazelnut Thumbprints image

These crispy, crunchy, nutty delights are perfect for the holidays.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes about 2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 large egg, separated, each part lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup toasted skinned hazelnuts, ground
Strawberry jam, for filling

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put butter and 1/2 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolk and vanilla, and mix well. Reduce speed to low. Add flour and salt, and mix until just combined. Refrigerate dough for 2 hours.
  • Stir together toasted hazelnuts and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; dip balls in egg white, then in hazelnut-sugar mixture. Space 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Press down center of each ball with your thumb. Bake for 10 minutes.Remove from oven; press down centers again with the end of a wooden spoon. Return to oven. Bake cookies until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes more. Let cool slightly on sheets on wire racks. Fill each center with jam.

SIOBHAN'S THUMBPRINT COOKIES



Siobhan's Thumbprint Cookies image

Editor's note: This recipe appears as part of our editors' Christmas Cookie Swap, 10 beloved holiday recipes from the editors of Epicurious and Gourmet Live. Make sure to make a deep impression in the dough with your thumb or a small pestle, and don't overfill the hole with jam, as these cookies will flatten and spread in the oven. Also, be sure to leave plenty of room in between the dough on the cookie sheet. Use a doily as a stencil to dust the confectioners' sugar in a festive pattern.

Provided by Siobhan Adcock

Categories     Cookies     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Shower     Christmas Eve     Party     Jam or Jelly     Kidney Friendly     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher     Small Plates

Yield Makes about 2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup jam such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
Special Equipment
2 large baking sheets; parchment paper; small pestle

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and a second rack in the lower third then preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture, and stir until just combined. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
  • Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange on baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Using your thumb or the round end of a small pestle, make a well in the center of each cookie. Using a teaspoon, fill each well with jam, being careful not to overfill the wells. Bake, switching the cookies between the upper and lower racks about halfway through baking, until golden, about 15 minutes. Cool the cookies on baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Continue baking cookies on cooled baking sheets. DO AHEAD: The cookies can be baked ahead and stored, in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 3 days.

THUMBPRINTS



Thumbprints image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 55m

Yield 72 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted jams (orange, raspberry, grape and/or strawberry), for filling
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Knead a few times by hand to bring the dough together.
  • Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Make an indentation in the center of each ball with a small measuring spoon or the back of a pen. Fill each indentation with jam (a scant 1/8 teaspoon).
  • Bake until the edges of the cookies are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

VANILLA THUMBPRINTS



Vanilla Thumbprints image

Make and share this Vanilla Thumbprints recipe from Food.com.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Dessert

Time 46m

Yield 3 1/2 dozen, 42 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup apricot jam (I use blackberry jam in place of apricot, 6 T of each kind of jam) or 2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam (I use blackberry jam in place of apricot, 6 T of each kind of jam)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer.
  • Cream using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.
  • Add egg and vanilla, scraping the bowl as needed.
  • Add the flour and mix just until incorporated (dough will be soft).
  • Roll 2 teaspoons of dough between your hands into a 1-inch ball.
  • Repeat, spacing 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • With a floured thumb (or dip thumb in water), make an indentation in the center of each ball of dough.
  • Fill each indentation with 1/2 teaspoon raspberry or apricot jam.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F about 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown around bottoms.
  • Remove to a wire rack to cool.

GOLDEN THUMBPRINTS



Golden Thumbprints image

"These cookies taste as good as they look," says Loraine Meyer. The Bend, Oregon cook often rolls them in walnuts and bakes them for friends and family at Christmas.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 1-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons brown sugar blend
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
9 red or green candied cherries, halved

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, beat butter and brown sugar blend until well blended. Beat in the oil, egg yolk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture and mix well., Shape into scant 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake at 375° for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. , Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, carefully make an indentation in the center of each (cookie edges will crack). Fill each with a candied cherry half. Bake 6-8 minutes longer or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 55mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINTS II



Chocolate Thumbprints II image

Chocolaty chocolate thumbprint cookies. You need a big glass of milk with these babies.

Provided by Kathy

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Thumbprint Cookie Recipes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, separated
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
48 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
⅓ cup granulated sugar for decoration

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
  • In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Stir in 2 egg yolks, melted chocolate, and vanilla. Sift together the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.
  • In a small bowl, slightly beat the remaining egg whites. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Dip balls into the egg whites, then roll in sugar (or chopped nuts if desired). Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets and make a small indentation in the center with your thumb. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies come out, press a chocolate kiss into the center of each one. Let stand, and then spread the chocolate candy like frosting, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.4 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 37.9 mg, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 117.3 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla beans for the best flavor. Imitation vanilla won't provide the same depth of flavor.
  • Make sure your butter is very cold before you add it to the dry ingredients. This will help to keep the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking. This will give the cookies a lovely sparkly finish.
  • Use a small spoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie before baking. This will help to create a well for the jam filling.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set around the edges. They should still be a little soft in the center.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before filling them with jam.
  • Use your favorite flavor of jam to fill the cookies. Apricot, raspberry, and strawberry are all popular choices.
  • Dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving for a finishing touch.

Conclusion:

Vanilla thumbprint cookies are a classic and delicious treat that are perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite flavor of jam. These cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them!

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