Get unique thumbprint cookie recipes that are perfect for bake sales or a Christmas cookie exchange! These thumbprint cookies are easy and delicious.
I have really good memories of cookies. Before you think to yourself, “well yeah – everyone does” – let me explain a little.
I’m sure many of you are familiar with Pike Place Market in Seattle. Even if you’ve never been there, you’ve probably heard of this open air, downtown market. It was almost closed at one point, but was saved in 1971.
So what does that have to do with cookies? One of my earliest memories of cookies is at the Three Girls Bakery in the market. When I was little, my mom took us to Pike Place all the time, and I ALWAYS got a thumbprint cookie.
My favorite cookie is officially called the “chocolate drop,” and it’s a shortbread cookie with a well of chocolate frosting in the middle. And when it comes to thumbprint cookies, it’s one of my favorites!
Due to my long history with and love of this type of cookie, I decided that this year my Christmas cookie exchange is going to feature one type exclusively: thumbprint cookie recipes.
If you’ve never had one before, get excited. These classic cookies are made with(typically) a simple cookie dough, rolled in sparkling sugar, and then indented and filled with your choice of “stuff!”
SO! I’m excited to share some recipes with you today! Just a few questions I wanted to address – these are commonly asked questions about this type of cookie:
How do I stop my thumbprint cookies from spreading?
You’ll want to chill the dough for about 30 minutes to an hour to prevent them from spreading. Chilling them hardens the fats in the dough and they don’t melt as quickly.
You should also place dough onto cooled cookie sheets (let them cool between batches).
How do you store thumbprint cookies?
Store your baked thumbprintsin an airtight container at room temperature. There’s no need to refrigerate. These cookies last for about a week before starting to dry out and crumble.
They will keep in the freezer for up to one month.
Are you ready to get some awesome thumbprint cookie recipes? Keep reading and then let me know your favorite in the comments!
Make some delicious thumbprint cookies with one of these tasty recipes! There are standard options and then some very unique ones too!
1
Classic Thumbprint
Photo Credit:www.cookingclassy.com
If you're looking for a classic thumbprint recipe, this is it! Buttery shortbread base, bright jam filling, and sweet almond glaze. They're easy to make and everyone loves them.
2
Delicious Buckeye
Photo Credit:cookiedoughandovenmitt.com
Thesebuckeye thumbprint cookieshave a rich, chocolate base with a sweet peanut butter center and a chocolate drizzle on top. It's will make the perfect cookie for your Christmas cookie exchange.
3
Red Velvet
These red velvet cookies with cream cheese are so rich and fluffy with the perfect amount of creamy cheesecake filling. They are perfectly festive and delicious!
4
Lemon Blueberry
These blueberry thumbprint cookies are filled with a perfect pool of decadent blueberry lemon homemade jam. Perfect for gatherings or a bake sale.
5
Chocolate Ganache
Discover the perfect chocolate thumbprint cookie recipe! Learn how to create these irresistible chocolate delights at home with a thick chocolate in the center.
6
Twix and Sea Salt
Photo Credit:www.cookingclassy.com
A buttery tenderthumbprint cookie filled with an easy, sweet caramel filling and finished with a milk chocolate drizzle and flaked sea salt. These cookies taste like Twix but better. So in other words, they’re an absolute dream!
7
Neapolitan with Strawberry Icing
Photo Credit:www.girlversusdough.com
These Neapolitan thumbprint cookies feature a two-in-one cookie dough that’s half chocolate, half vanilla, baked together to buttery cookie bliss then filled in the center with fresh strawberry royal icing.
8
Icing and Sprinkles
Photo Credit:sweetpeaskitchen.com
These tender cookies are filled with cookie icing and loaded with sprinkles! I just love the sweet/salty combination that these cookies have. They’re melt in your mouth deliciousness - just as a shortbread thumbprint should!
9
Hershey S’mores
Photo Credit:sugarapron.com
Enter s’mores heaven! These Hershey Kiss cookies are almost too adorable to eat and small. So you can have as many as you want, right?
10
Chocolate Pistachio Cream
Photo Credit:www.loveandoliveoil.com
If you love pistachio gelato, you’ll love these delightful little cookies, with a rich chocolate shortbread and a center of luxurious pistachio cream.
11
Classic Gingerbread
Photo Credit:www.swankyrecipes.com
Classic soft gingerbread cookies with a white chocolate center and chocolate drizzle. Serve on a holiday cookie platter this season and share with family!
12
Cherry Chocolate
Photo Credit:www.creationsbykara.com
Get a delicious recipe for cherry chocolate thumbprint cookies. You'll love these cherry shortbreads filled with chocolate ganache. So good!
13
Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Photo Credit:amyshealthybaking.com
Get an easy recipe for peanut butter cookies with a vanilla cheesecake filling. Sweet, absolutely addictive & secretly healthy - just 54 calories per cookie.
14
Chocolate Mint Fudge
Photo Credit:Julie Evink
Soft chocolate thumbprint cookies that have a delicious mint fudge center and are drizzled with chocolate. These are the perfect holiday cookie for cookie trays, plus they freeze well!
15
Hot Chocolate
Photo Credit:www.alattefood.com
These taste like homemade hot chocolate in the form of a chewy chocolate cookie! They’re intensely chocolatey, have a gooey marshmallow center, and covered in drizzled chocolate.
16
Pumpkin Pie
Photo Credit:www.onceuponapumpkinrd.com
Pumpkin pie thumbprint cookies are a cross between a cookie and a slice of pumpkin pie! Topped with a cream cheese frosting with pecan pieces and pumpkin spice on top, they make for the perfect treat or dessert!
17
Apple Toffee
Photo Credit:cookiedoughandovenmitt.com
These apple toffee thumbprint cookies with a cream cheese drizzle are the perfect soft cookie. The drizzle and apple butter center are everything!
18
Key Lime Pie
Photo Credit:sugarspunrun.com
You can have a key lime pie incookieform! These cute little thumbprint cookies are made with a buttery graham cracker crumb based cookie and filled with a tart key lime pie filling.
19
Gluten Free Chocolate
Photo Credit:glutenfreeonashoestring.com
These gluten free chocolate thumbprint cookies have a soft, brownie-like texture and rich chocolate flavor. Perfect for any cookie plate!
20
Chocolate Raspberry
Photo Credit:www.wyldflour.com
These chocolate raspberry thumbprint cookies are the perfect combination of fudgey chocolate chip cookies and gooey raspberry jam! An easy recipe to make and great for sharing.
21
Pecan Pie
Photo Credit:thebakermama.com
These cookies are such an easy way to get your pecan pie fix without having to bake a whole pie. Tender, flaky, buttery shortbreadcookies are filled with a sweet, gooey, caramelized pecan pie filling for a cookie eating experience that’s just too tasty to be true!
22
Salted Caramel Turtle
Photo Credit:cookingclassy.com
If you're going to add caramel to something, you may as well salt it, right? At least that's how I feel, and this cookie recipe is no exception.
23
Lemon Curd
Photo Credit:happyfoodstube.com
These homemade lemon curd thumbprint cookies are pure perfection! They're a combination of sweet buttery cookies and citrusy topping with a hint of almonds.
24
Creamy Eggnog
Photo Credit:grumpyshoneybunch.com
With this recipe you'll get a soft cookie base with a creamy eggnog flavored filling. These are perfect for your holiday cookie tray, whether you are serving them at a party or giving them away as a gift!
25
Pecan Turtle
Photo Credit:swankyrecipes.com
Decadently rich chocolate sugar cookies with a caramel filling and toasted pecans. These cookies have a secret ingredient that truly elevates the recipe.
26
Coffee Caramel
Photo Credit:marshasbakingaddiction.com
Crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, these thumbprint cookies are perfectly infused with coffee, and filled with a caramel center.
27
Strawberry Lemonade
Photo Credit:thebeekeeperskitchen.com
This recipe is a tangy sweet treat that brings summer into a bite-sized cookie! Sweet lemonade glaze, complemented with tartness of lemon-y shortbread.
28
Butterscotch Shortbread
Photo Credit:bakingmischief.com
If you are looking for a traditional cookie with a delicious homemade butterscotch filling, this is going to be your recipe!
29
Chocolate Cherry
Photo Credit:www.3yummytummies.com
This thumbprint cookie recipe is a delightful balance of soft, chewy and chocolate-y. A double thumbprint makes way for plenty of cherries with a delectable, chocolate glaze topping . . . the perfect holiday treat!
30
Chocolate Hazelnut
Photo Credit:spendwithpennies.com
These chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies have cookie dough rolled in hazelnuts and topped with chocolate hazelnut spread. Turn simple ingredients into a sweet treat in less than 30 minutes!
31
Brown Sugar
Photo Credit:www.lifeisaparty.ca
The brown sugar makes the shortbread cookie rich, and the oozy, gooey caramel centers are perfect. These are great for gifting because everyone loves them.
32
Chocolate Espresso
Photo Credit:www.halfbakedharvest.com
This thumbprint recipe is fast and easy, super chocolatey with a hint of coffee flavor & topped with gooey ganache! @halfbakedharvest.com
33
Gooey Salted Caramel
Photo Credit:www.kevinandamanda.com
These thumbprint cookies are to die for! The vanilla butter cookie is decadently soft and buttery, so it melts in your mouth! Luxurious pools of gooey salted caramel join in to send this delicious dessert over the top.
34
Cherry Cheesecake
Photo Credit:www.ihearteating.com
Butter cookies meet a slice of cheesecake in these tender cherry cheesecake cookies that are perfect Christmas treat. But you can make them for any time of year!
If you enjoyed these tasty cookies, I’d love for you to check out these other posts:
- Bite Size Desserts: 40+ Mini Sweets You’ll Love!
- Christmas Cupcakes Perfect for the Holidays
- 35+ Unique Cookie Recipes That Will Impress!
- 30+ Dessert Bar Recipes Perfect for Your Next Party
- Quick Dessert Recipes Ready in 20 Minutes or Less!
