Introduction

These delightful Thumbprint Heart Cookies are buttery, tender, and filled with your favorite jam. Perfect for sharing or a special occasion, they bring a personal touch with their charming heart-shaped centers.

Thumbprint Heart Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup jam of choice

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar together on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the flour and salt, blending until a soft dough forms.
Step 5: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 1½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Press your thumb or the rounded back of a teaspoon gently into the center of each ball twice to create a heart-shaped indent.
Step 7: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. If the indentations have filled in, gently reshape them while still warm.
Step 9: Once completely cooled, spoon a small dollop of your favorite jam into each heart-shaped center.

Tips & Variations

For a vegan option, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes).
Try different jams like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to vary the flavor.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make shaping easier and prevent spreading.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep the jam fresh, add it just before serving or store jam-filled cookies in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat briefly in a microwave to soften if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of jam?

Yes, you can use any jam or preserve you like. Just make sure it’s not too runny to avoid spreading during baking.

How do I keep the heart indentations from filling in while baking?

Press the indentations twice to make them deeper and gently reshape them immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm.

Thumbprint Heart Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 546 reviews

These Thumbprint Heart Cookies are delightful buttery treats featuring a soft, tender dough with a charming heart-shaped indentation filled with your favorite jam. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, or simply to enjoy with a cup of tea, these cookies combine sweetness and a bit of tartness with every bite.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 27-30 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling

1/4 cup jam of choice (such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on high speed, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the batter is smooth and fully blended.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms, ensuring not to over-mix.
Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into approximately 1-inch balls. Place them spaced about 1½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading.
Create Heart-Shaped Indents: Gently press your thumb or the rounded back of a teaspoon twice into the center of each ball to form a distinct heart-shaped indentation for the jam filling.
Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through.
Cool and Reshape Indents: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. If the indentations have filled in during baking, gently press them again while warm to reshape the hearts.
Fill with Jam: Once the cookies have completely cooled on a wire rack, spoon a small dollop of your preferred jam into each heart-shaped center for a sweet, fruity finish.

Notes

For a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and use a flax egg instead of a real egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tbsp water).
Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping if it’s too soft to handle easily.
Use a firm jam to avoid runny centers that might spread during baking.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Feel free to experiment with different jam flavors to suit your taste preferences.

Keywords: Thumbprint Cookies, Heart Cookies, Jam Cookies, Valentine’s Day Dessert, Butter Cookies, Sweet Treat, Homemade Cookies