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Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies with raspberry jam filling and a white almond glaze drizzle.

Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Angela Sellari
Bake up classic Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies! This tender recipe combines almond, raspberry jam, & a sweet glaze. A holiday baking favorite.
3.34 from 12 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling + Cooling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 113 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold and diced
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions
 

  • Beat butter, granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon almond extract with a handheld mixer or a stand mixer until well combined.
  • Add flour and salt. Mix on low speed until large, soft crumbs form (this may take a few minutes), and continue mixing until the sandy mixture turns into cookie dough.
    Mixed cookie dough for Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies in a bowl.
  • Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on lined cookie sheets. Make an indent in the center of each ball (you can use your finger, but I like using a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon or the back of a wooden cooking spoon for a perfect look). Fill each indent with jam.
    Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies dough in a metal mixing bowl.
  • Chill the shaped cookies for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator, or freeze for 1 hour. It is important to chill the cookies before baking or they may spread out and lose their shape.
    jam inside the thumbprint cookies
  • Heat the oven to 350° F. Bake the cookies (one tray at a time) for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges and just set. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Once cookies have cooled, prepare the glaze. Use a spoon to lightly drizzle the glaze over each cookie.
    glaze in the bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 19mgFiber: 1g
Keyword Christmas Cookies, Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies, Thumbprint Cookies
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