Name: Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder; ½ cup granulated sugar for coating (or your preferred topping like coarse sugar, powdered sugar, finely chopped roasted nuts, or desiccated coconut); ½ cup seedless jam (or preferred fillings like lemon curd, fruit curd, hard candies; for after-baking toppings Nutella, chocolates, or Hershey kisses recommended)

There’s something so delightful about the first bite of these buttery, jam-filled treats that perfectly capture the festive spirit — my Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe does just that. They’re super customizable, melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, and have a lovely crisp edge that keeps you coming back for more.

A wooden box lined with printed parchment paper holds four different kinds of cookies arranged in layers. On the top left, there are dark brown cookies with a chocolate center, one tied with a red and white string. Below them, round cookies have a red jelly center with a rough texture, stacked with peppermint candies tucked in between. To the right, light beige cookies with yellow jelly centers are stacked in a layer on top of more of the red jelly center cookies, some with heart shapes, interspersed with small peppermint candies. The bottom right corner shows dark brown cookies topped with chocolate swirls and sprinkled with nuts, some tied with red and white string, next to a few bright red sugar-coated cookies with peppermint candy centers. Outside the box on the right, three cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, and two candy canes are shaped into a heart. Red and white beaded garlands with golden bells and a red ribbon decorate the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore sharing this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe because it’s one of those go-to festive treats that never fails to impress. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing at a party, or sneaking a few with your coffee, these cookies feel like a hug in cookie form.

One-batch magic: You can make lots of flavor variations from a single dough, which is perfect when you want variety without extra fuss.
No chill needed: Unlike many cookie recipes, these are ready to bake right after mixing, saving you precious holiday time.
Soft inside, crisp outside: That contrast in texture makes each cookie irresistibly satisfying.
Super forgiving dough: Even if you’re new to baking cookies, you’ll find this recipe easy to master without any stress.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe are simple but thoughtfully chosen to create that classic buttery cookie base that melts in your mouth. Plus, the cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate option, so you get two delightful flavors from one batch.

Flat lay of a smooth stick of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of fine sea salt crystals, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a neat mound of all purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of clear pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl of rich dark dutch processed cocoa powder, a small white bowl of seedless raspberry jam placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened butter provides moisture and tenderness; using unsalted lets you control the salt perfectly.
Granulated sugar & brown sugar: Together, they balance sweetness with a hint of caramel depth from the brown sugar.
Sea salt: Just a touch sharpens the flavors and cuts through the sweetness wonderfully.
Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything, ensuring the dough holds its shape.
All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of the cookies, giving them that lovely crisp edge.
Baking powder: Just enough lift to keep the cookies tender, not cakey.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that pairs beautifully with jam fillings.
Dutch processed cocoa powder: For that smooth, deep chocolate flavor in half the batch.
Granulated sugar (for coating): Adds a sweet, sparkling crunch; you can swap this for nuts or coconut for different textures.
Seedless jam: I love raspberry, but apricot, strawberry, or even lemon curd make fantastic fillings.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to add a little extra crunch, swap jams, or try a chocolate twist, you can make these cookies truly your own.

Variation: I often split the dough to make half chocolate and half vanilla cookies, rolling some in powdered sugar and others in chopped pistachios for contrast. It’s a hit every time with friends!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A variety of cookies are closely packed together on a wooden tray over a white marbled surface. In the center, there are pale beige round cookies with a shiny red jam filling in the middle, with a smooth soft texture. Surrounding these are deep brown cookies coated with chopped nuts and topped with swirls of dark chocolate, tied with a red and white string around them. At the bottom, two bright red cookies covered in coarse sugar have a small candy cane piece and white drizzle on top. Behind the cookies, small candy canes wrapped in red and white stripes are placed in a small white dish filled with chocolates and more cookies, creating a festive look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by combining your softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars. I like to use a stand mixer, but a hand mixer works great too. Beat them until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks almost pale. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Don’t skip scraping down the sides of your bowl; that keeps everything evenly mixed.

Step 2: Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Salt

Next, add your egg, vanilla extract, and sea salt into the buttery goodness. Beat again until you see everything come together smoothly—like a soft cloud of batter. This step adds moisture and body to your dough, so don’t rush it.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Now sift your flour and baking powder directly into the bowl. This keeps the dough light and helps prevent any lumps. Using a spatula, fold the flour gently until the dough forms. It should be soft, not sticky, and easy to handle.

Step 4: Add a Chocolate Twist

Take half your dough into a separate bowl and stir in the cocoa powder. This makes for a beautiful chocolate version alongside your classic vanilla ones. Be gentle — mix just until the cocoa is fully incorporated.

Step 5: Scoop and Roll the Dough

Using a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop, portion out balls of dough from both the vanilla and chocolate batches. Roll each ball between your hands until it’s smooth and evenly shaped. Then, roll each cookie ball in your topping of choice. Granulated sugar gives a lovely sparkle, but I’ve also used crushed nuts and coconut to great effect.

Step 6: Create the Thumbprints and Fill

Press a small indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or a teaspoon. If you want to fancy it up, try making a heart-shaped indent with your index finger — it’s a fun touch my niece loves helping with. Fill these spaces with jam (my favorite is seedless raspberry), fruit curds, or even hard candies. For fillings like Nutella or chocolate kisses, I add those after baking while the cookies are still warm.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet with about 2 inches between each. Bake at 355°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes — watch closely so they don’t overbake; you want golden edges with soft centers. Let them cool completely on a rack for the best texture and to set the fillings.

Top Tip

From my experience baking these cookies every holiday season, a few small tweaks make all the difference between good and outstanding cookies. These handy tips help you nail that perfect soft-but-crisp Christmas cookie.

Butter at room temperature: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted to get the best creaming and fluffiness in your dough.
Don’t skip the sugar coating: Rolling the dough balls in sugar before pressing the thumbprint adds a dreamy crunch and festive sparkle.
Press gently but firmly: Creating the indent early helps prevent cracks and keeps the filling perfectly nestled.
Watch the bake time: Removing cookies when edges are just golden keeps the centers tender—overbaking dries them out.

How to Serve Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Christmas thumbprint cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple but festive — a dusting of powdered sugar or a few whole fresh cranberries around the edges add a wintery touch. Sometimes I drizzle melted white chocolate or sprinkle finely chopped pistachios on top for a pop of color and flavor.

Side Dishes

These thumbprint cookies pair beautifully with hot drinks — I’m talking mulled wine, spicy chai latte, or a big mug of rich hot cocoa. They also make a sweet ending to a holiday cookie platter alongside gingerbread and peppermint bark.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like arranging these cookies in clear jars layered with colorful ribbons and festive tissue paper. Another idea is placing them neatly in decorative tins, nestled in parchment paper with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for that seasonal scent and look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to five days, although I promise they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. Just place the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you want them, thaw at room temperature — it’s like fresh-baked magic all over again.

Reheating

To refresh frozen or leftover cookies, I pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes. That warm-up revives the buttery flavor and soft texture without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of jam or filling?

Absolutely! You can switch out seedless raspberry jam for apricot, strawberry, lemon curd, or even caramel. For chocolate lovers, fillings like Nutella or small chocolate pieces work great but are best added once the cookies have baked.

Do these cookies need to be chilled before baking?

No chilling required! This recipe’s dough is designed to bake right away, which saves time during busy holiday prepping. Just scoop, shape, fill, and bake.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works well here, but I recommend checking your blend’s baking instructions. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I get the perfect thumbprint shape?

Press gently but firmly into the center of each ball with your thumb or a spoon to create a clear indentation. Avoid pushing too hard, which may crack the dough, and make sure to fill the indent right after pressing to keep the shape intact during baking.

Final Thoughts

Making my Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Recipe has become a holiday tradition I cherish deeply. There’s something so joyful about the process — mixing the dough, pressing those little thumbprints, filling them with your favorite jams, and sharing the final batch with loved ones. I hope you enjoy making and gifting these as much as I do. Seriously, give yourself the gift of easy, beautiful cookies this season!