• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Recipe Filter
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home By Dessert Type

Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

★★★★★ 1 Reviews Recipe Print
nf
By: Erin12/16/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

jelly thumbprint cookies
jelly thumbprint cookies

Create a holiday classic with this Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe. Made with simple baking ingredients for easy preparation — just don’t forget the glaze topping!

jelly thumbprint cookies

The most delicious jelly cookes with jam

It’s that time of year when thumbprint cookies are making their rounds! You’ll see them on the holiday displays and included in the annual cookie exchanges with DIY recipes all over Pinterest. They’re a staple during the holidays and they come in so many differnet flavors! But have you ever tried to make them from scratch?

Today, you’re going to learn!

This jelly thumbprint cookies recipe is made with delicious strawberry jelly and topped with a simple but effective 3-ingredient glaze. We’re also adding some almond extract for extra flavor!

jelly thumbprint cookies

Ingredients in this jelly thumbprint cookies recipe

Jelly thumbprint cookies are made with classic cookie ingredients like flour, salt, butter, and sugar. Then, we take things a step further with double flavor extract, and of course, the jelly!

Cookie Dough

  • Flour: The cookie dough begins with a base of 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
  • Salt: Add some flavor with 1/4 tsp of salt. You’d be amazed at the difference it makes!
  • Butter: Next, use 1 cup of softened butter. This is going to make the cookies nice and moist.
  • White sugar: For the sugar, start with 1/2 cup of white sugar.
  • Brown sugar: Follow the white sugar with 1/4 cup of brown sugar.
  • Egg: 1 egg will help the ingredients bind together properly.
  • Vanilla: Add some more flavor with 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
  • Almond extract: Do the same with 1/2 tsp of almond extract!
  • Strawberry jelly: Next up is the jelly! You’ll need 1/4 cup of strawberry jelly (or whatever other flavor you’d like to use).
  • Sugar: Last but not least, set aside a small bowl of white sugar to roll the dough in before baking.

Glaze

  • Powdered sugar: The base of the glaze is made with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
  • Almond extract: 1/2 tsp of almond extract gives the glaze a delicious flavor.
  • Water: You will need about 2-3 tsp of water to help the glaze reach the correct consistency.
ingredients for jelly thumbprint cookies

Tools that you’ll need to make jelly thumbprint cookies

You’ll need a handful of kitchen tools to make this recipe, but nothing out of the ordinary. Here’s a full breakdown:

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Stirring utensil
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer

For measuring out ingredients, you will need the following measuring cup sizes: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make this jelly thumbprint cookies recipe

To begin, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Set aside.

Then, use a large mixing bowl and a hand mixer to mix the butter, white sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Combine until the batter becomes creamy.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until everything is well combined. Let the dough chill for 1 hour.

Once chilled, roll 2 tbsp of dough into a ball. Then, roll it in sugar and place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down with your thumb to create a dent in the center. Repeat until you’ve used all of the dough.

Add 1/2 tsp of jelly to each thumbprint center.

Bake for 12-14 minutes.

While the cookies bake, create the glaze by mixing together all of the ingredients.

Let the cookies cool for 30 minutes, and then drizzle the glaze on top.

making jelly thumbprint cookies

Storing leftovers

Thumbprint cookies hold up quite well when stored properly. Simply add them to an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to about 3-4 days!

Recipe Tips

I don’t have a hand mixer. Will that mess up my recipe?
No, that’s okay! I recommend using a hand mixer at Step 3 because we want the batter to become very creamy. But if you don’t have one, you can mix by hand! You might just need to mix the ingredients a bit more than usual.

Can I use blueberry jelly?
Absolutely! I used strawberry, but any jelly flavor will work. In fact, blueberry would be delicious!

Do I have to let the dough chill?
I definitely recommend it! Chilling the dough not only helps with the texture of the final cookies, but it also helps with rolling and shaping the dough. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will do. But, at least 1 hour is best!

jelly thumbprint cookies

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Wondering what cookie recipe to prepare next? Here are some ideas that should help! The brown butter oatmeal cookies are a personal favorite.

  • Healthy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies
  • Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Double Chocolate Mint Paleo Cookies
  • Healthy White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
jelly thumbprint cookies

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photography by Moriah Sawtelle

jelly thumbprint cookies
★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Create a holiday classic with this Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe. Made with simple baking ingredients for easy preparation — just don’t forget the glaze topping!

Prep: 75Cook: 15Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield 24 cookies 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 cup strawberry jelly (or other flavor)
  • sugar to roll dough in

Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 2–3 tsp water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend together butter, both sugars, egg, vanilla, and almond extract until creamy.
  4. Slowly add flour mixture to wet mixture until all combined. Let dough chill 1 hour.
  5. Using about 2 tbsp of dough, roll into balls and roll in sugar. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and press down with thumb to create a dent in the center.
  6. Add 1/2 tsp jelly to each center, and repeat with the remainder of the cookies.
  7. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Let cool 30 minutes before putting on glaze.
  8. Make glaze by mixing together all ingredients. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
  9. Store at room temperature.
Author: ErinCategory: holiday, cookie, dessertMethod: ovenCuisine: American
jelly thumbprint cookies

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

erinliveswhole

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • healthy chocolate chip cookies
    Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
  • bite out of cookie on rack
    Easy Snowball Cookies Recipe
  • Flourless Double Chocolate Cookies
  • tray of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies
    Healthy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
chocolate chip cookies
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Danielle says

    Posted on 12/16 at 12:39 pm

    My son and I made these today for cookie week! We used our homemade blueberry spiced jam. Another amazing recipe by Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/16 at 12:58 pm

      Hi Danielle, so happy you both loved them! Thanks for being part of cookie week!!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

erin in front of a building

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

grocery lists

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

chocolate chip cookies

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

avocado corn salad

Avocado Corn Salad

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

paleo cookie skillet with ice cream

Healthy Cookie Skillet

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

Featured On

good housekeeping logo
parade logo
feed feed logo
business insider logo
everyday health logo
country living logo
bar desserts
truffles
bar desserts
bar desserts
muffins
vanilla birthday cake with chocolate icing

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2023 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled