These Thumbprint Heart Cookies are made from a classic sugar cookie dough and filled with store-bought strawberry jam. They are a delightful treat for Valentine’s Day, the holiday season, or any special occasion.
Try this ube sugar cookies recipe that we have on the blog!
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple sugar cookie dough with minimal ingredients.
- Customizable: Fill with your favorite jam flavors for a personal touch.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for holidays, Valentine’s Day, or special moments.
- Soft & Buttery Texture: A melt-in-your-mouth treat with a slight crisp.
- Heart-shaped thumbprints make them visually appealing.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun and easy for children to help make.
- Deliciously Sweet & Fruity: The combination of buttery cookies and jam is irresistible.
What are Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are soft, buttery cookies with a small heart dent in the center, usually filled with jam, chocolate, or caramel. The dough is made with basic ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, giving them a rich and tender texture.
The dent is made by pressing a thumb or spoon into the dough before baking. These cookies are popular for valentines day and special occasions because they look pretty and taste delicious. They are easy to make and fun to customize with different fillings, making them a favorite treat for both kids and adults.
In this recipe, we're using store-bought jam, but you can easily make it from scratch if you prefer. There are plenty of jam recipes available online to guide you.
Ingredients Needed for Thumbprint Heart Cookies
Here are the ingredients and substitutions for this jam heart cookie recipe:
Unsalted butter: Adds flavor and creates a tender texture. Should be at room temperature.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough. You can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia for a healthier option.
Egg yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor. You can substitute with almond extract or any other flavored extract you prefer.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough. You can use whole wheat flour for a heartier version, or gluten-free all-purpose flour if you're gluten-sensitive.
Strawberry jam (or other type of jam): Adds sweetness and color to the thumbprint center. You can substitute with any fruit jam like raspberry, blueberry, or cherry, or even use Nutella for a chocolate twist. I use store bought jam!
How to make it
Step 1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined
Step 3. Add Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Stir until a dough forms. If the dough feels too soft, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4. Shape the Cookies. Roll the dough into small balls then roll in sugar and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Use your thumb (or the back of a spoon) to press a small indentation in the center of each cookie.
Step 5. Fill. Spoon a small amount of store-bought jam into each indentation. Don’t overfill it, as the jam may spread too much during baking.
Step 6. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 7. Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Several other delicious filling options
Nutella or other chocolate spreads for a sweet, chocolatey center.
Soft, gooey caramel works wonderfully as a sweet filling.
Lemon curd for tangy and creamy option that adds a fresh, citrusy twist.
You can use any fruit jam (that is thick enough), like raspberry, blueberry, cherry, to personalize your cookies.
FAQ's
Yes, you can use any type of jam you prefer. Popular choices include strawberry, raspberry, cherry and blueberry. Choose your favorite flavor!
If the jam spreads too much, it may be due to overfilling or using runny jam. Use a small spoon and opt for a thicker jam to prevent this.
If your cookies flatten, you might need to chill the dough first before baking. Also, check that the butter is at the correct temperature (room temperature) before mixing.
Must Try Treats
Recipe
Heart Shaped Thumbprint Cookies with Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 piece egg yolk
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until fully combined
- Add all-purpose flour and salt into the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter then roll into a bowl of sugar. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie to create a heart shape. Be careful not to press all the way through the dough.
- Spoon a small amount of strawberry jam (or your chosen jam) into the heart shaped cavity of each cookie. Do not overfill, as the jam may spread while baking.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Share and enjoy!
Leave a Reply