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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cookies

    Melt-In-Your-Mouth Thumbprint Cookies

    Published: Jan 8, 2020 · Modified: Feb 9, 2024 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Do you love classic thumbprint cookies, but maybe you are looking for a recipe that mixes up the classic? Let me tell you, these Melt-In-Your-Mouth Thumbprint Cookies are tender and delicious and are one of my favorite cookies! These cookies are made what whole wheat flour which adds to the nutty taste, and spiced as well. There is so much to love!

    I used a jam in this one, but you can also use my raspberry sauce for this, I have a post all about raspberry coulis. This sauce is perfect for filling cookies and cakes. Another one to use is my lemon curd recipe. I love using it in thumbprint cookies!

    What Makes These Cookies So Good?

    In this recipe I used whole wheat flour, this gives the perfect nutty flavor that I love with the cranberry spice filling. 

    These delicious thumbprint cookies are tender cookies, which is my favorite kind. I like some cookies, crispy, but almost always prefer tender. Even with whole wheat flour, you are going to find these are so tender.

    You can make this cookie dough well ahead of time. I like to make the dough, form the cookies the indention. Then from here, you can keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days before baking! Perfect if you are hosting a get-together and will have limited time on serving day.

    Healthy Thumbprint Cookies with cranberry sauce.

    Ingredients

    • All-purpose flour- I like to use a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat as this is what my family and friends prefer.
    • Whole wheat pastry flour- I love to use this lower protein flour as opposed to higher protein wheat flours. The whole wheat pastry flour gives it such a light tender, texture.
    • Salt- it only takes a touch, but makes a big difference.
    • Butter- A must in this recipe.
    • Brown Sugar- You can also granulated sugar or even sucanat. I do not recommend a liquid sweetener as it will change the texture and consistency.
    • Egg
    • Vanilla
    • Almond Extract- I love the almond undertones in these cookies.
    • Cranberry Filling- I used my cranberry spice syrup recipe for this. It is a thick syrup that when it is chilled sets up really well. If you want something different, use whatever preserves you like.

    How To Make

    1. Start by mixing your 2 flours and the salt in a small bowl and setting it aside.
    2. Then cream your butter and brown sugar. To this add in your egg, vanilla, and almond extract. At this point, be careful not to overmix. You only want to mix to combine.
    3. Then, add in your dry ingredients, and again, mix to combine.
    4. Scoop your cookies and press with a small measuring spoon or your thumb to form the indention.
    5. Chill the cookies for about 30 minutes. Fill with your filling, being mindful not to overfill. Although this is not the worst thing you can do :).
    6. Bake until the cookies are a very light golden brown just at the bottom of the cookie. This is important to maintain that tender texture.
    Butter and brown sugar in a bowl.
    Cookie dough in a glass bowl.
    Cookie dough in a glass bowl.
    Thumbprint cookie dough in glass bowl.
    woman scooping cookie dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
    Woman rolling a thumbprint cookie in her hands.
    Woman adding cranberry sauce to a thumbprint cookie.

    Top tips

    • There are a few things to note for getting the best results on these cookies.
    • First, as recommended above, I prefer using whole wheat pastry flour. This is a low-protein flour and really is best for cookies.
    • If all you have is white wheat flour or red wheat flour, you can use it. Just know I prefer the wheat pastry flour. I have the same recommendation for my spritz cookies with jam.
    • Be sure not to overmix this dough. One of the biggest mistakes people make in cookie baking, especially with whole wheat flour is overmixing. When you cream the butter and sugar, this is okay to mix quite a bit, but once the egg is added and each step after, be mindful not to overdo it.
    • Some people like these cookies a little crispy, if you are one of those people, add a few minutes to the baking time.
    • This dough can be held in the fridge unbaked for at least 3 days. Just make sure you store them wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
    • It also holds well in the freezer for about a month. I would recommend freezing it on a baking sheet and then storing a ziplock bag.

    Do I have to use whole wheat flour?

    You do not have to use wheat flour in this recipe, if you prefer, you can use just all-purpose flour. I love using wheat in all my baked goods, which is why I included it.

    Other Cookie Recipes

    • Stunning Shortbread Linzer Cookies with Cranberry Filling
    • Rye chocolate cookies lined up next to each other with sea salt sprinkled on top.
      Dark Chocolate Rye Cookies
    • Dark chocolate and dried cherry cookies on a piece of parchment paper with chocolate chips on the side.
      Chewy Dark Chocolate and Cherry Cookies
    • Carrot cake cookies topped with icing.
      Simple Carrot Cake Cookies
    Healthy Thumbprint Cookies with cranberry sauce.

    Melt-In-Your-Mouth Thumbprint Cookies

    Amy Sandidge
    There are hardly any other baked goods better to me than a classic thumbprint. I made these even better by subbing in some wheat flour and reducing the sugar. Did anyone know? Nope.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour If you are ready to go for an all wheat cookie, go for it! This is a great cookie for using whole wheat.
    • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour I always use whole wheat pastry flour as opposed to a hard winter wheat flour. It is lower in protein and makes your baked goods so tender.
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½-3/4 cup cranberry syrup or other preserves of choice.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
      Combine flours and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
      In another, medium sized bowl, add butter and sugar. I used a hand mixer for this one. Mix until light and fluffy.
      Add egg and vanilla and mix only to combine. Scrape down the bowl.
      Add flour mixture. Mix again to combine. Scrape down and mix again if needed.
      Scoop cookies onto parchment paper. I baked 16 at a time, in 4x4 rows. 4 across and 6 down. Roll the cookies in a ball. Make an indention on the top of each cookie to fill with jam. I used my ½ teaspoon measuring spoon. It was the perfect size.
      Move the cookies to the fridge and chill for about 20-30 minutes.
      Fill each cavity with preserves. Mine took about 1 teaspoon per cavity.
      Place in oven and bake about 10 minutes. The cookies will spread a bit, and be a VERY light golden brown around the bottom edges.
      Remove from oven. With a metal spatula, remove from pan and place on cooling racks.
      The cookies are delicious eaten while they are warm. They are also good cooled.
      This dough can easily be made ahead of time. Simply mix the dough and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or store in the freezer for up to a month.
      If it is chilled, be sure to let it soften a bit before trying to scoop and roll. Same with frozen dough, make sure it is soft and pliable before you try scooping and rolling.
      Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
    Keyword thumbprint cookies, whole grain baked goods, whole grain cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Baked
    • Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
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    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

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