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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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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

Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/thumbprint-heart-cookies-recipe/