These adorable Strawberry Jam Cookies, or thumbprint cookies, are perfect with tea or as an after-dinner dessert. A soft and chewy shortbread cookie with delicious strawberry jam on top, they’re both incredibly easy to make and fun to eat.
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Where Did Thumbprint Cookies Come From?
While these light and fluffy thumbprint cookies are enjoyed in many countries around the world, they originate in Sweden. In Swedish, these cookies are called Hallongrotta, or “raspberry cave,” due to the fruit filling in the center. Of course, you can make these delicious cookies with any flavor jam you want, not just raspberry.
Why This Strawberry Thumbprint Recipe is a Keeper / Reader Interaction
You’re sure to love these delicious strawberry jam thumbprint cookies! Here are just a few reasons why:
- Easy Dough: This butter cookie dough is easy to make and only take a few ingredients. You can also use this base dough to make several other kinds of cookies.
- Family Friendly: Your kids will love helping you make these strawberry jam cookies, almost as much as they’ll love eating them!
- Adaptable: Make these thumbprint shortbread cookies with any kind of jam or filling you want.
If you’re looking for more sugar cookie recipes, try these: Lofthouse Cookies, Sprinkle Cookies, and Hershey Kiss Sugar Cookies.
What Is Another Name for Thumbprint Cookies?
Thumbprint cookies are called a few different names around the world. For instance, aside from the Swedish Hallongrotta, they’re also called Jam Drops in Australia.
Main Ingredient Notes for Jam Thumbprint Cookies with Strawberry Jam
- Flour: Use a regular all purpose flour, and take an extra second to sift it.
- Butter: Use room temperature salted or unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Shortening: A vegetable shortening helps the shortbread cookie keep its shape.
- Box Instant Vanilla Pudding: Helps produce a cookie with a tender texture and enhances the flavor.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Butter Cookie Dessert Recipe
- Icing: Instead of jam, try icing the center of these cookies instead.
Sugar Free: For a healthier option, use sugar-free jam. You can use any flavor you want.
Special Equipment Needed to Make this Recipe
- Cookie Scoop: Use a cookie scoop to get uniform-sized perfect cookies.
- Baking Mat: You’ll need a silicone baking mat or a tray lined with parchment paper.
How to Make Strawberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
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These are the basic steps for making Strawberry Jam Cookies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Prep
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then cream together soften butter, shortening, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, vanilla extract, and instant pudding mix.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Mix the Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture a little at a time, mixing between additions, until all the flour is incorporated.
Step 3: Scoop
Next, scoop out a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Place on the prepared baking trays about 2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the handle of a wooden spoon, press into the center of each cookie dough ball to create a small indentation. Spoon jam into the center of each cookie.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
When ready, bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Finally, remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Expert Tips for Making Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies
- Different Jam: Make one batch of dough and use several different jams and preserves. For example, you can use apricot, raspberry, blueberry or cherry. Check out your local farmers’ market if you want homemade jam. You can also fill them with lemon curd, a dollop of chocolate, or Nutella in the center of the cookie.
- Glaze: Make a glaze to drizzle over the top of the cookies.
- Nuts: Slivered almonds, pistachios, or other nuts are great on top to add a crunch. Or try almond extract.
- Decorate: These cookies stand on their own very well. However, feel free to dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate.
What to Serve with Strawberry Jam Cookies
Strawberry Jam Cookies (Thumbprints)
Equipment
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Ingredients
- ¾ Cups Butter , softened
- ¼ Cup Shortening
- 1 ½ Cups Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ Cups Flour
- 3.4 ounces Instant Vanilla Pudding, Box
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Strawberry Jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, shortening, and sugar with an electric mixer.
- Add in eggs, vanilla, and instant pudding mix. Continue mixing until thoroughly incorporated.
- In a separate bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture a little at a time mixing between additions until all the flour is incorporated.
- Scoop out dough by the tablespoonful and shape into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart, using your finger or the handle of a wooden spoon press into the center of each ball to create an indentation. Spoon jam into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until set and lightly golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Christina’s Notes
- Different Jam: Make one batch of dough and use several different jams. For example: apricot, raspberry, blueberry or cherry. Check out your local farmers market if you want homemade.
- Glaze: Make a glaze to drizzle over the top of the cookies.
- Nuts: Slivered almonds, pistachios or other nuts are great on top to add a crunch.
- Decorate: These cookies stand on their own very well, however, feel free to dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate. Make them pinterest or facebook worthy.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.