Description
Delightful thumbprint cookies embrace sweet simplicity with a buttery base and colorful icing drizzle. Homemade comfort meets elegant charm, inviting you to savor each delicate, perfectly crafted bite of pure baking joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
Sweet Enhancers:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Icing Components:
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack in the center position and warm to 350F (175C), ensuring an even heat distribution. Prepare baking sheets by layering parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
- Cream together butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and egg yolk into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to achieve a uniform consistency.
- Gradually fold in flour and salt, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing, which could result in tough cookies.
- Roll the dough into small, uniform spheres, each approximately the size of a walnut, ensuring consistent baking.
- Gently press your thumb or the back of a small spoon into the center of each dough ball, creating a well for the jam filling.
- Place the indented cookies onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to allow for minimal spreading during baking.
- Carefully spoon a small amount of jam into each thumbprint depression, selecting your preferred flavor for a personalized touch.
- Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn a delicate golden brown.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets, providing stability for the delicate structure.
- Prepare the icing by whisking powdered sugar with milk or cream until smooth and drizzling consistency is achieved.
- Once cookies have cooled, elegantly drizzle or pipe the icing over the jam-filled centers, creating an artistic finishing touch.
- Let the icing set fully before storing the cookies in an airtight container, preserving their delightful texture and appearance.
Notes
- Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape during baking.
- Use a small spoon or the back of a measuring spoon to create uniform thumb indentations, ensuring even jam or icing placement.
- Experiment with different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to add variety and personalize these classic cookies.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before adding icing to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking decoration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 133
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg