Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are soft, buttery cookies filled with sweet cherry preserves and topped with a light glaze. A festive and easy treat perfect for Christmas cookie trays or any occasion!
Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are a timeless classic that combine buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a sweet cherry filling. Theyโre as beautiful as they are delicious with their bright red centers making them perfect for the holidays, Valentineโs Day, or any time you want a simple yet elegant treat.
These cookies are easy to make, fun to decorate, and always a crowd-pleaser! What makes these cherry thumbprint cookies so special is their perfect balance of textures and flavors. They store well, freeze beautifully, and are ideal for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings. It is one of the Best Cherry Desserts.
Table of contents
Why We Love These
- Buttery, tender cookies: Melt in your mouth with every bite.
- Sweet and slightly tart cherry filling: Adds the perfect flavor contrast.
- Simple yet elegant: Easy to make but looks festive and special.
- Customizable: Top with glazes or swap in your favorite jam.
- Perfect for any occasion: Ideal for holiday trays, gifts, or cozy treats.
- Long-lasting and freezer-friendly: Stores well and can be enjoyed later.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cookies.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a tender texture.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
- Butter, softened: Creates a rich, tender, and buttery cookie base.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to a slightly crisp edge.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor.
- Cherry pie filling: Fills the thumbprint indentation with sweet, fruity flavor.
- White chocolate chips (optional): Can be melted or drizzled for a creamy, sweet topping.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Then line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2. Use a mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3. Get out a separate large mixing bowl and beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Then add the egg and vanilla.
Step 4. One combined, gradually mix in dry ingredients into the mixture.
Step 5. Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls or about 1 Tbsp each.
Step 6. Next, place 2 inches apart on each cookie sheet. Press thumb into the center of each cookie to create an indentation.
Step 7. Allow the cookies to bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Then while they are still warm, press indentations again with a spoon handle.
Step 8. Top the center with cherry pie filling and bake for 3 more minutes until filling is lightly glazed.
Step 9. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire racks.
Step 10. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe small bowl in 20โ30 second intervals. Make sure to stir each interval. Finally, drizzle over cooled cookies. Serve on a tray and enjoy.
Storage
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their soft, buttery texture.
Refrigerator: If you prefer a longer shelf life, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Freezer: These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Topping Tip: If drizzled with white chocolate, allow it to fully set before stacking or storing to prevent sticking.
Pro Tips
- Chocolate Drizzle: If the melted chocolate thickens while drizzling, reheat it in the microwave for 10โ15 seconds and stir until smooth and glossy.
- Dough Handling: If the dough feels too sticky to roll and shape dough, refrigerate it for 20โ30 minutes. This will make shaping the cookies much easier.
- Even Thumbprints: Use the back of a teaspoon or your thumb dipped lightly in flour to make uniform indents without cracking the dough.
- Filling Control: Avoid overfilling the centers. About ยฝ teaspoon of cherry pie filling per cookie prevents overflow while baking.
- Neat Drizzle: For clean, bakery-style drizzle lines, use a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off.
- Cooling Tip: Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to prevent breaking.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it, or freeze the dough balls (without filling) for up to 2 months.
More Delicious Cherry Dessert Recipes
Bring a touch of sweetness to any occasion with this irresistible Cherry Thumbprint Cookies recipe! If you make these cookies, leave a comment below and a star rating to let us know how they turned out. We love hearing from you!
Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1โ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
- 2 oz white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 Tbsp each) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press thumb into each to create an indentation.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly golden. While still warm, press indentations again with a spoon handle.
- Fill each center with cherry pie filling. Bake 3 more minutes until filling is lightly glazed. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20โ30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Drizzle over cooled cookies. Serve and enjoy!
