Buttery Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Sweet raspberry almond shortbread thumbprint cookies promise a delightful journey into buttery, fruity bliss.

Crumbling delicate shortbread that melts against your tongue with each tender bite.

Nutty almonds whisper subtle richness through every carefully crafted morsel.

These charming little treats combine classic comfort with elegant simplicity.

Soft centers burst with vibrant raspberry jam, creating miniature edible masterpieces that spark joy.

Baking these cookies transforms an ordinary afternoon into a magical moment of pure indulgence.

Grab your apron and let these irresistible morsels inspire your inner pastry chef.

Why Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies Are A Hit

• Savor Delicate Flavor Combinations: These cookies blend buttery shortbread with vibrant raspberry jam and subtle almond extract, creating a harmonious taste experience that dances between sweet, nutty, and fruity notes.
• Enjoy Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools, allowing anyone to create professional-looking cookies with simple steps and minimal equipment.
• Experience Textural Delight: Discover a magical mix of textures – crisp, crumbly shortbread edges, soft cookie centers, and smooth raspberry jam create a delightful sensory experience in every single bite.
• Craft Quick Impressive Treats: These cookies come together in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute gatherings, unexpected guests, or spontaneous dessert cravings without consuming hours in the kitchen.

Everything You Need For Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

• Butter, Granulated Sugar: Sweet and rich base that creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture. Unsalted butter works best for precise flavor control.
• Flour, Salt: Provides structure and balanced seasoning for the shortbread. All-purpose flour recommended for consistent results.

• Almond Extract: Adds distinctive nutty and aromatic flavor to both cookies and glaze. Pure extract provides the most authentic taste.
• Raspberry Jam: Adds fruity sweetness and vibrant color to the cookie center. Seedless jam creates a smoother filling.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk: Creates a smooth, drizzleable glaze with a delicate sweetness. Adjust liquid for desired consistency.

Make Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies This Way

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a smooth cookie-making experience.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dough

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

• Flour
• Salt

Mix until a soft, delightful dough comes together.

Step 3: Create Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into adorable little balls, each about the size of a walnut. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, giving each cookie plenty of personal space – about 2 inches apart. Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to gently create a cozy little nest in the center of each cookie.

Step 4: Add Raspberry Treasure

Spoon a dollop of vibrant raspberry jam into the center of each cookie’s dimple. The jam will look like a ruby-red jewel nestled in the golden dough.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and let the magic happen. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Once done, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Craft the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Almond extract

Whisk until smooth and silky. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.

Step 7: Drizzle with Delight

Take a spoon or piping bag and create beautiful, artistic drizzles of glaze over the cooled cookies. Let the glaze set, turning these cookies into a true work of art.

Enjoy your homemade Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies – a perfect blend of buttery, nutty, and fruity goodness!

Pro Tips For Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

• Butter Softening Trick: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy texture without melting.
• Gentle Dough Handling: Mix flour just until combined to prevent tough cookies, stopping when the dough barely comes together.
• Precise Indentation Technique: Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon for uniform cookie centers, creating consistent jam wells.
• Jam Selection Strategy: Choose high-quality seedless raspberry jam for a smoother, more refined cookie appearance and taste.
• Cooling and Glazing Wisdom: Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent the icing from sliding off and ensure a beautiful, crisp finish.

How To Keep Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without the glaze. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or place on a baking sheet in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness.
• Restore Crispness: If cookies become slightly soft, crisp them up by baking at 300F for 3-4 minutes before serving.

What Works Well With Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Delights: Serve these delicate raspberry almond shortbread cookies alongside a smooth vanilla bean latte or a rich cappuccino to complement their buttery texture and sweet-tart raspberry notes.
• Elevate with Sparkling Companions: Match these cookies with a chilled moscato d'Asti or a light prosecco, whose subtle sweetness and effervescence will enhance the almond and raspberry flavors.
• Create a Tea Time Moment: Brew a delicate white tea or chamomile tea to balance the cookie's richness, allowing the almond and raspberry flavors to shine through in a harmonious blend.
• Dessert Wine Indulgence: Pour a small glass of raspberry liqueur or a light dessert wine like Sauternes to echo the raspberry jam's fruity essence and create a luxurious tasting experience.

Fun Ideas For Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

• Tropical Paradise Cookies: Swap raspberry jam with passionfruit or mango preserves for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile that transports your taste buds to sunny beaches.
• Chocolate Chunk Sensation: Mix dark chocolate chunks into the dough and replace raspberry jam with chocolate hazelnut spread for an indulgent, rich cookie experience.
• Lemon Lavender Dream: Substitute almond extract with lemon zest and fill centers with lavender-infused honey for a sophisticated, floral-inspired shortbread cookie.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add chopped pecans to the dough and use salted caramel sauce instead of raspberry jam, creating a decadent sweet-and-salty treat that crunches with every bite.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies FAQs

• Why use almond extract in these cookies?

Almond extract adds a delightful nutty flavor that complements the sweet raspberry jam, giving these shortbread cookies a sophisticated and rich taste profile that makes them extra special.

• Can I use different types of jam?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam is classic, you can experiment with strawberry, apricot, or even berry preserves to create your own unique version of these thumbprint cookies.

• How do I prevent the cookies from cracking when making the thumbprint?

Make sure your dough is at room temperature and not too cold. Gently press the center with your thumb or the back of a spoon, being careful not to apply too much pressure. If the dough cracks, simply smooth it back together with your fingers.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

Not at all! Just a mixing bowl, electric mixer, baking sheets, and basic baking tools are all you need to create these delicious thumbprint cookies from scratch.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet raspberry almond shortbread thumbprint cookies blend buttery richness with tangy fruit in a classic European-style treat. Delicate crumbly edges and jewel-like raspberry centers make these cookies perfect companions for afternoon tea or elegant dessert gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (130 g) granulated sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling and Glaze Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (100 g) raspberry jam
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 12 tablespoons (180 milliliters) milk
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to 350F (175C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats, ensuring a clean, non-stick surface for perfect cookie formation.
2. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture. Incorporate almond extract for a delicate fragrance, then gradually fold in flour and salt, gently mixing until a cohesive, tender dough develops.
3. Craft uniform spherical dough portions, approximately 1-inch in diameter. Arrange these delicate orbs across the prepared baking sheets, maintaining generous spacing. Create gentle indentations in each cookie’s center using your thumb or the curved edge of a small spoon.
4. Carefully nestle a precise dollop of raspberry jam into the carefully crafted cookie wells, ensuring an even, elegant distribution of the vibrant fruity filling.
5. Slide the cookie-laden trays into the preheated oven, allowing the delicate morsels to transform for 12-15 minutes. Watch for soft golden edges signaling perfect doneness. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheets before transferring to a cooling rack.
6. Construct a silky almond glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency. Adjust liquid proportions to create the ideal drizzling texture.
7. Embellish the cooled cookies with an artistic drizzle of almond glaze, using either a spoon or piping bag for precision. Permit the glaze to set completely before serving these elegant treats.

Notes

• Bring butter to room temperature at least 30 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even mixing and a tender cookie texture.
• Use high-quality raspberry jam with minimal seeds for a cleaner, more refined filling that spreads evenly in the cookie indentation.
• Create uniform cookies by using a small cookie scoop or weighing each dough ball to ensure consistent size and baking time.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum for better binding.
• Prevent jam from burning by making a slightly deeper thumbprint and not overfilling the center with jam.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.
• Experiment with different jam flavors like apricot, strawberry, or mixed berry for unique variations of this classic shortbread cookie.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 167
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg