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Thumbprint Heart Cookies Recipe

4.4 from 67 reviews

Delight in these charming Thumbprint Heart Cookies, buttery and soft with a sweet jam-filled center that adds a burst of fruity flavor. Perfect for festive occasions or a simple homemade treat, these cookies are easy to make and irresistibly cute.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Filling

  • 1/4 cup jam of choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on high speed, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring the dough binds properly and has a subtle aroma.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, blending until a soft dough forms without overmixing, which could toughen the cookies.
  5. Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart to allow room for spreading.
  6. Create Heart Indents: Gently press your thumb or the rounded back of a teaspoon into the center of each dough ball twice, creating a heart-shaped indentation to hold the jam filling.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they’re perfectly baked.
  8. Cool and Reshape: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. If the indents have filled in during baking, carefully reshape them while they’re still warm.
  9. Fill with Jam: Once cookies are completely cooled, spoon a small dollop of your favorite jam into each heart-shaped center to finish.

Notes

  • Use your favorite flavors of jam such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot for different fruity twists.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative.
  • Ensure the dough is not too warm when rolling to maintain shape during baking.
  • If desired, you can decorate with a light dusting of powdered sugar after filling.

Keywords: thumbprint cookies, heart cookies, jam cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe