Meltinyourmouth Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

MeltinYourMouth Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

By Emily CollinsSeptember 4, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Get Ready for Christmas Magic!

Fancy some Holiday Baking Easy ? Oh my gosh, are you ready for a Best Homemade Christmas Cookies recipe that'll knock your socks off? Honestly, this Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies recipe is an absolute winner.

You know, the kind that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? It's basically Christmas in cookie form!

A Taste of Tradition: Your Jam Filled Christmas Cookies

These little beauties are also know as Christmas Cookies with Jam Centers ! Thumbprint Cookies, sometimes called Jam Drops, are little morsels of joy with a touch of Scandinavian Christmas Cookies history.

They're wonderfully soft and buttery. Imagine a Holiday Cookies For Kids with a sweet jam center pure bliss. You can enjoy them during the holiday season, with a warm drink, and sharing them with loved ones.

Quick and Easy: Making Kids Holiday Cookies

This recipe is super easy, perfect for beginner bakers! You'll need around 20 minutes to prep, then 30 minutes to chill the dough.

Holiday Baking Easy ! Baking time is only 10- 12 minutes. In about an hour, you'll have around 24 Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies !

Why You'll Love These Cookies: Christmas Goodie Ideas

These aren't just any cookies. These Christmas Cookies with Jam Centers is special because they just melt in your mouth.

They are perfect alongside tea, coffee, or hot chocolate! You get a little bit of buttery goodness with a burst of fruity flavor.

Each one contains approximately 120 calories. Honestly, they're perfect for a Christmas cookie swap or a cosy night by the fire and are Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes .

Plus, they are easy to make. Now, lets get baking.

Ingredients & Equipment

Right, let’s talk about what you'll need. Honestly, the ingredients for these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are pretty basic. Even I had them all lurking in the back of my cupboard! I would like to make it clear that the best Best Homemade Christmas Cookies are those made with high-quality ingredients.

Main Ingredients

Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g ). Make sure it's softened , not melted. Honestly, this is crucial. If it's too melty, your cookies will spread like crazy.
Granulated Sugar: ½ cup ( 100g ). Regular white sugar, nothing fancy.
Light Brown Sugar: ¼ cup ( 50g ), packed. This gives them that lovely, slightly chewy texture.
Egg Yolk: 1 large. Just the yolk, mind! Save the white for something else.
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon ( 5ml ). Real vanilla is best, but the cheap stuff works in a pinch.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 ¼ cups ( 281g ). Plain flour, you know the drill.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5g ). Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
Seedless Raspberry Jam: ½ cup (about 150g ). This is for the filling. I sometimes use Bonne Maman jam.

Quality indicators? Well, for the butter, go for a decent brand. It really does make a difference to the taste! For the jam, just use your favourite.

Raspberry is classic for Christmas Cookies with Jam Centers , but apricot or strawberry works brilliantly too. Honestly, they would make great Holiday Cookies For Kids too.

Seasoning Notes

Okay, so there isn’t much seasoning going on with these Jam Filled Christmas Cookies . Vanilla is your main flavour enhancer.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could add a tiny pinch of almond extract. I would not recommend more than 1/4 of a teaspoon.

It'll be an interesting addition to your Festive Christmas Baking .

For substitutions, almond extract is a great substitute for vanilla essence.

Equipment Needed

You don't need loads of fancy gear for this! Simplicity is key for these Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes , after all.

Baking Sheets: Obvious, really.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Trust me, these are your friends. They stop the cookies from sticking.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Again, pretty standard.
Small Spoon: For spooning the jam into the thumbprints.
Mixer: Optional. You can cream the butter and sugar by hand. It'll give you a good arm workout. A mixer just makes it easier.

You might be able to get away with using a fork in place of a small spoon, just be careful.

Also, no need to buy new gear - these Christmas Goodie Ideas are totally achievable with the tools you already have!

Remember, this is about having fun, not stressing over fancy kit. Let's get baking!

Cooking Method for Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Alright, let's talk about making these gorgeous Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies ! These little Jam Filled Christmas Cookies are just the ticket for festive baking.

They're easier than you think! And perfect as Holiday Cookies For Kids . Honestly, baking them is a breeze.

Prep Steps: Mise en Place Magic

First things first, get your stuff sorted. This essential mise en place will save you time. Soften your butter, measure your sugar, and grab that raspberry jam .

It is also really important that you get your flour and salt ready to go too. Honestly, having everything ready before you start is one of the best holiday baking easy time savers.

Make sure your butter is soft. But not melted! That's key.

step-by-step: Thumbprint Perfection

Here's how we make these Christmas Goodie Ideas happen:

Cream together the butter and sugars.
Mix in that egg yolk and vanilla.
Gently add the flour and salt.
Wrap and chill the dough for 30 minutes .
Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
Roll into balls, make a thumbprint.
Fill with a teaspoon of your jam.
Bake for 10- 12 minutes .

Pro Tips: Cookie Wizardry

Don't overmix your dough. That leads to tough cookies. Chilling is key to stop them from spreading. For Best Homemade Christmas Cookies use good quality jam! Trust me, it makes a difference.

For perfect Christmas Cookies with Jam Centers , don't overfill the thumbprints!

These Scandinavian Christmas Cookies are so simple, and they're always a hit. Get ready for some festive christmas baking because honestly, they are the best and the easiest. Enjoy.

Recipe Notes to Nail Your Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Right, so you're ready to make some Best Homemade Christmas Cookies . Before you get your apron on, let's run through a few crucial bits.

These notes will stop any kitchen dramas. I speak from experience.

Serving Those Festive Christmas Cookies

These Holiday Cookies For Kids look gorgeous on a plate. Dust them with a little icing sugar, for that snowy effect, you know? Pop them on a tiered cake stand.

They look like they’re straight out of a Dickens novel! Think of serving these Christmas Goodie Ideas alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Or maybe some mulled wine for the grown ups.

Storing Your Jam Filled Christmas Cookies

Oh my gosh, you've baked a mountain of these little beauties? No worries! These Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes store really well.

Once cooled, pop them in an airtight container. They will happily sit on your counter for 3-4 days. Or in the fridge for up to a week.

Fancy freezing them? Go for it! Stack them carefully between layers of parchment paper. This stops them from sticking together.

They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, just let them thaw at room temperature. They’ll be as good as new.

Variations on a Theme - Making it Your Own

Want to mix things up? You got it! For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend. Honestly, no one will know the difference.

How about different fillings? Use any jam you fancy. Apricot, strawberry, even lemon curd. Get creative. These Christmas Cookies with Jam Centers are all about fun! Also try substituting for marmalade, for a very distinctive taste.

Holiday Baking Easy : Nutrition Lowdown

Alright, let's keep it real. These Scandinavian Christmas Cookies are a treat. Not exactly health food! Each cookie is around 120 calories.

There's also 7g of fat and 15g of carbs. The actual numbers will vary depending on your ingredients. But hey, it's Christmas! Enjoy! And don't forget these are amazing Kids Holiday Cookies .

I wanted to hook you up with this stat, did you know that more than 75% of UK households will bake at least one type of festive cookie this year?

These Festive Christmas Baking are a pure joy to make and share. Now go on, get baking. You’ve got this! I know you'll make the best Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies spread too much while baking?

Ah, the dreaded cookie spread! This usually happens because the butter was too soft (almost melted) or the dough wasn't chilled long enough. Make sure your butter is softened but still cool, and don't skip that crucial 30-minute chill in the fridge. It helps the fat solidify, preventing excessive spreading.

Can I use different fillings for these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies besides raspberry jam?

Absolutely! Get creative, darling! While raspberry jam is classic, feel free to experiment with apricot, strawberry, blackberry, or even a dollop of Nutella or lemon curd. Just make sure the filling isn't too runny, or it might bubble over during baking.

A little marmalade would also be fantastic, though it does have a very distinctive flavour.

How long do these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies stay fresh?

These little beauties will stay fresh for up to 5 days if stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely before serving and they'll be almost as good as the day you baked them!

Can I make these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies ahead of time?

You certainly can! In fact, I often do. You can prepare the dough, form it into balls, and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Then, just before baking, make the thumbprints, fill with jam, and bake as directed.

Alternatively, you can bake the cookies and freeze them unfilled, then add the jam after thawing for the freshest possible taste. It's a bit like prepping for a bake off but without the pressure!

What if I don't have a stand mixer or hand mixer? Can I still make Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies?

Of course! A mixer certainly makes things easier, but you can definitely make these cookies by hand. Just make sure your butter is very soft and use a sturdy spoon or spatula to cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. It will take a bit more elbow grease, but the results will be just as delicious.

Think of it as your workout for the day!

Are these Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies healthy?

Well, let's be honest, they're cookies, not a salad! They're definitely a treat. However, they are portion controlled and relatively simple in terms of ingredients. You could consider using whole wheat flour or a sugar substitute to make them slightly healthier.

But remember, everything in moderation, especially during the festive season!