The Easiest Thumbprint Cookies Ever - Perfect for Holiday Baking!

It's almost, almost time to eat that turkey, stuffing, cornbread, sweet potatoes...  and then just like that it will be time for the holiday rush!  This year, I thought it was time to streamline my cookie recipes so I could get them done in a fraction of the time.  Still, they would have to be impressive enough to bring to all of the holiday parties we have coming up!  I have a popular butter cookie recipe on the blog, which I wanted to sweeten up just a bit more for the perfect holiday treat.  That's where the idea for these easy, delicious thumbprint cookies filled with jam came from!  This recipe is super simple with easy-to-find ingredients, a quick prep time plus cooking time, and very little cleanup.  You basically just throw everything into your stand mixer's bowl.  Easy!  I hope you add these cookies to your holiday baking list!

Also, to celebrate the holidays, Walmart is having a Pinterest Contest where you can win $250!  For all of the details on how to enter in a few simple steps, make sure to read at the end of the post!

You may wonder how these cookies are different from any other thumbprint cookies.  First of all, I have made thumbprint cookies several times, and there is something usually just a bit off about them.  One time, I practically wore out my food processor trying to pulse whole almonds.  Another one asked for only egg yolks, which just seemed like extra work to separate egg whites for no reason.  Others added all kind of odd ingredients like coconut, shortening, or espresso.  Really, I love just a basic, traditional thumbprint cookie with butter, sugar, flour, whole eggs, jam, and not much else!

On a side note, I used several kinds of jam and preserves for this recipe: Strawberry (2 kinds), blackberry, apple jelly, and lemon curd!  The strawberry preserves and lemon curd were from my London trip earlier this year (see the Travel tab above) and the other ones were from gift baskets we received.  It's a wonderful way to use (and enjoy) your favorite fruity concoction.  I would not use a very chunky preserves, even though it would taste good, only because it would end up as an uneven cookie.  Otherwise, let your imagination go wild!

Now, lets get to the recipe... finally!

The Easiest Thumbprint Cookies - Ever!
A Vintage Zest Original

Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted Land O' Lakes butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Your choice of jam, jelly, or lemon curd, about 1/4 cup total needed

Note: I headed to Walmart to buy the unsalted Land O' Lakes butter because I prefer to use unsalted butter when I bake.  I can always adjust by adding more salt later on!

Directions

1. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together on medium to high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

2.  Add the egg and vanilla extract.

3. Add the flour and salt.  Beat until the dough begins to stick together in a ball.

4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet either lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

Tip:  I like to use a very small ice cream scoop to ensure they are all the same size!

5. Flatten balls slightly with your thumb or the back of a small spoon, leaving an indentation in the center.

6. Bake at 375F for 8 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are just beginning to brown.

7. Once the tray is removed, if the indentations are too shallow, repress with your thumb or a spoon (if it is too hot).

8. Fill each cookie with jam, approximately 1/2 teaspoon.

Note: I chose not to bake the lemon curd, so the cookies are unfilled on the right.

9. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes, until the jam has slightly melted and the edges are a golden brown.

That's it!  I love how pretty and dainty these look.  They will definitely be a hit at your next cookie exchange or holiday party.

Now to the Pinterest Contest details!!!

For your chance to win a $250 gift card from Walmart, here is how to enter:

1. Follow Land O’Lakes on Pinterest, user: LandoLakesKtchn
2. Enter your email in the form below below and click “Enter”
3. Pin the image below to any of your Pinterest Boards
4. Visit the Holiday Treats Board and share your favorites!

Good luck!