24 Thumbprint Cookie Recipes (2024)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Cookies are great any time of year, but you can't deny that the holiday seasonkicks cookie fantasies into full gear. Whether you're looking for a cookie that'll stand out at the cookie swap or just something to dunk into your hot cocoa, these thumbprint cookie recipes will add a lot offlavor and fun to your cookie platters this year.

Candy Cane Thumbprints

Candy Cane Thumbprints Recipe

Celebrate the season with these festive Candy Cane Thumbprint cookies.

Caramel Apricot Thumbprint Cookies

Caramel Apricot Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Cherry Blossom Thumbprint Cookies image

Cherry Blossom Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

These buttery thumbprint cookies offer a faint cherry flavor in the cookie itself and the most stunning pop of pale pink, along with a delicate taste of cherry blossom, in the jam filling. These elegant thumbprint cookies are almost too pretty to eat (although we’re sure you’ll find a way), and would make the perfect sweet finish to a bridal shower or dinner party. Cherry blossom jelly is a specialty product we ordered online, but we found it to be worth the extra bit of effort and expense for a special occasion. However, you could fill these cookies with whatever flavored jam you like. Alternatively, we also tested the recipe using chocolate kisses instead of a jam, and this is also a delicious option. The chocolate makes a very tasty companion to the subtle cherry notes in the cookie.

Chocolate Thumbprints

Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

No candy pieces here. These thumbprint cookies are filled with chocolate ganache.

Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche image

Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche Recipe

Finish these cookies with a pinch of flaky salt--it balances the luscious caramel filling and toasted coconut.

Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints image

Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints Recipe

This chocolate filling is impossibly rich and incredibly easy to make in the microwave.

Raspberry Jam Thumbprints image

Raspberry Jam Thumbprints Recipe

You can make the dough for all three thumbprint cookies 1 day ahead; store in the refrigerator.

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

These cookies have a bit of crunch from the finely chopped pecans, sweetness from the almond extract, and richness from the butter. But it's the thumbprint impressions on top that give them a personal touch. Strawberry and peach jams make beautiful jewel-colored fillings, but you can use other Southern favorite jams, such as blackberry, muscadine, or apple. They're the perfect cookies to make with the kids – let them make the thumbprints and choose the filling.

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt

Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt Recipe

From Great Falls, Montana, Colette Tihista-Longin writes, "I found this cookie recipe in an old collection at a yard sale. The original recipe has a chocolate filling, but I adapted it to include caramel and sea salt several years ago. It's a hit every year at our cookie exchange." Despite the name for this style of cookie, the end of a wooden spoon makes a neater, deeper depression in the cookie than your thumb will.

Red Velvet Thumbprints

Red Velvet Thumbprints Recipe

There's no need to use a pastry bag to fill cookies. Just transfer the frosting to a zip-top plastic freezer bag, and snip the corner.

Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato Jam

Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato Jam Recipe

This clever take on beloved thumbprint cookies is sweet and savory. Refrigerated dough keeps for days, and the baked cookies freeze well.

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

No candy pieces here. These thumbprint cookies are topped with a delicious peanut butter-chocolate filling.

Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookie

Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints Recipe

Use our Easy Apple Butter for the best flavor and texture. In a pinch, store-bought apple butter that has been boiled for 5 minutes (to thicken) may be substituted.

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Fill the center of these Thumbprint Cookies with your favorite jam. Our jam of choice for these buttery, nutty cookies were apricot and strawberry.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints

Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints Recipe

With a double shot of chocolate and hazelnut flavors, kids and adults will rave over these filled cookies. The espresso powder is optional, but it intensifies the chocolate flavor.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints Recipe

The favorite sandwich flavor combination comes together in these adorable preserves-filled cookies. Use any type of jam or preserves.

Cranberry Thumbprints

Cranberry Thumbprints Recipe

Instead of using jam, fill these bite-sized cookies with your extra Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

These little cookies are the perfect combination of classic chocolate and peanut butter.

This recipe goes with: Hazelnut Nutella Sandwich Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Patty Cookies, Double Chocolate Cookies, Chocolate Decadence Cookies

Linzer Thumbprints

Linzer Thumbprints Recipe

These cute little thumbprint cookies are filled with raspberry jam and go perfectly with a cup of hot tea. Beware...They are so good you can’t have just one.

Jelly-Cheddar Thumbprints

Jelly-Cheddar Thumbprints Recipe

Use your favorite jam or jelly in Jelly-Cheddar Thumbprints. These little bites are the perfect combination of savory and sweet.

Blackberry Thumbprints

Blackberry Thumbprints Recipe

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints feature the irresistible flavor combination of cherry and chocolate.