Aunt Maggie's Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Name: Aunt Maggie's Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Makes 54
Ingredients: 24 tablespoons (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup sugar; 1 large egg; 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); 3/4 cup jam (any type)

Butter is the key to these fast, five-ingredient cookies from Leslie Ball of North Bethesda, Maryland.

Source: Everyday Food, July/August 2007

1 hour 15 mins 30 mins Makes 54

Total Time Prep Yield

Ingredients

24 tablespoons (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
3/4 cup jam (any type)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg, and beat until completely combined. With mixer on low, add flour, and mix just until incorporated.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Place on baking sheets, at least 3 inches apart.
3. Moisten thumb with water, and gently press the center of each ball, making an indentation about 1/2 inch wide and inch deep. In microwave or on stove, heat jam until liquefied; spoon about 1/2 teaspoon into each indentation. Bake until cookies are golden brown around edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. If storing, place in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days.

Cook's Notes

If the dough is too soft to shape into balls, refrigerate it for a few minutes, until firm enough to handle; the cookies will spread as they bake, so leave plenty of room between them.

Similar Recipes

Reviews

436

How would you rate this recipe?

436

kszapp3564857

1 DEC, 2018

This recipe has become a family favorite - I'm always telling friends and family where to find the recipe. For those that like nuts I will also use this recipe with the dough rolled in egg wash and nuts.
Reply
ramkiusagmail

8 DEC, 2017

It worked perfectly. Added only salt !
Reply
ninapdoula

21 DEC, 2015

Delicious and made a ton! I added 1 tsp vanilla and used salted butter. I can see how keeping to the recipe would make a more subtle, elegant cookie, and feature the jam more, but for my family, this worked best. Saving this recipe!
Reply
ninapdoula

21 DEC, 2015

Delicious! I added a tsp of vanilla to the dough and used salted butter and it was perfect!
Reply
MS11452090

14 DEC, 2015

Made these according to directions, impossible to make 1 inch balls with 2 Tlb of dough. And I think your count of 54 cookies is unrealistic
Reply
valgonzalez8403

13 DEC, 2015

I followed the recipe exactly as called for but they were definitely lacking in flavor! They turned out bland & they didn't spread not even a bit. In the trash they went immediately!
Reply
laracat0801

9 FEB, 2014

I didn't have unsalted butter so I used salted butter instead so I also didn't have to add 1/4 teaspoon salt. It tastes so great I love them!!
Reply
Cookincat74321

2 DEC, 2013

I love this recipe, I usually make it around Xmas a lot. I'll use three different colors of jam (like apricot, raspberry, and blueberry) and they look so pretty no one believes I didn't buy them at the the store. And the cookies are so, so delicious AND easy. I do add 1/4 tsp. salt like many other people have, but other than that the recipe is perfect, I've never had any issues with it being finicky.
Reply
MS12081443

13 AUG, 2013

These are simple and buttery cookies. The recipe comes together easily. I used my homemade peach preserves for the filling. Wonderful!!!!!! This recipe is a keeper for me!!!
Reply
Bethany Primrose

15 FEB, 2013

I also added 1/4 tsp of salt the second time I made these, and liked them MUCH better. (I also didn't need near 3/4 cup of jam, probably didn't even use a full 1/2 cup.) Used strawberry, though I think I'll try some raspberry next time. It is a fast, incredibly easy recipe and everyone (adults and kids) have absolutely loved them.
Reply

I'm in the mood for:

See Recipes