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Vegan Thumbprint Cookies - The combination of tart jam and a buttery-sweet crumb is pure bliss in every bite.
'Tis the season for everything festive and sweet! I'm up to my ears in cookies and I couldn't be happier! My go-to holiday cookies are these Jam-Filled Vegan Thumprint Cookies.
I give them out every year along with Hot Chocolate on a Stick and Cookies in a Jar. They bring tons of smiles and that's what matters.
This recipe was posted back in 2016 and I felt it needed fresh new photos and easy-to-follow instructions. The cookies are still amazingly delicious!
How to make Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
(full instructions and notes in recipe card below)
- First, whisk the flour and salt together and set aside.
- Now add slightly softened vegan butter to the bowl of a Stand Mixer and beat until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until incorporated and scrape down sides as needed.
- Add the vanilla and almond extract then mix until combined.
- On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until dough starts to form. *Don't over mix.
- Add almond milk and mix on low to combine.
- Scoop the dough and roll it into smooth ball-shape. Place on your baking sheet about 1 ½ " apart.
- Make the indentations by using the back of a ¼ teaspoon and press down gently about ½ way in.
- Spoon jam into each well using a small spoon or you can pipe it in.
- Now bake in the oven until barely lightly golden about 13-15 minutes. Baking too long will make them crispy. Carefully check the bottom of one cookie - it should be lightly golden.
- Let cool on pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Tip: I found that the dough cracked less if I made the indentation right after rolling each ball, instead of rolling them all first. If you do see a few cracks, just gently smooth them out with you finger or just leave them be. Small cracks are completely normal and add character.
Do I need an electric mixer to make Thumbprint Cookies?
No, you can do it all by hand and the cookies will still be delicious. They might be a hair less fluffy, but it's not a notable difference.
Here's what you'll need to do:
STEP 1: You'll need to soften the butter enough that you can work with it by hand. However, you don't want it to be melty.
STEP 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and together. Set aside.
STEP 3: Place the butter in a large bowl and break it down with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Mix it for about a minute to get a creamy texture.
STEP 4: Add your sugar and mash it together with the butter using a large fork. Now, start whipping it until it's soft and fluffy. Add the extracts and whip to combine.
STEPS 5: Add the flour into the butter/sugar mixture and mix until just combined (don't overwork). Add the non-dairy milk and mix until a dough is formed. If it's too dry or crumbly, add another teaspoon of milk. Now you can make the cookies following the instructions in the recipe card.
Do I need to chill cookie dough?
That's the million dollar question! Most of the time, it's safest to do so. Especially, if the recipe calls for it. However, I rarely chill the dough for this recipe. I work fairly quickly and never feel that my dough is too soft.
I use a Marble Pastry Slab to keep it cool while I'm rolling the balls. If by chance the dough feels soft or sticky, I'll wrap it in cling wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes.
If the dough isn't rolling easily into a ball shape or holding its shape, then the dough is too soft and you should chill it.
Are you guys ready? Let's do this!
I'd love to hear from you
If you make these Vegan Thumbprint Cookies, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
Recipe
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour *see notes for proper measuring
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup vegan stick buter , slightly softened
- 2 tablespoons almond milk , or any plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ⅓ cup Homemade Raspberry Jam , or any jam
- *Optional: powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177 °C). Line 1 extra large baking sheet (or 2 medium) with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together to combine well.
- Add the softened vegan butter to the bowl of a Stand Mixer and fit with a paddle attachment (or use a medium/large stainless steel bowl with a Hand Mixer). Beat on medium until creamy for 30 seconds.
- Add the sugar and beat on medium until incorporated (about 30-60 seconds). Scrape down sides as needed. Now add the vanilla and almond extract and mix on medium until combined (about 30 seconds).
- Turn to low speed and gradually add the flour and mix until just combined and dough starts to form (about 30-60 seconds) *Don't over mix. Scrape down sides as needed. Now add the 2 tablespoons of almond milk and mix on low to combine.
- Using a half-tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop the dough and roll into smooth balls. Then place them on your baking sheet about 1 ½ inches apart (try to keep the dough around the same measurement for even baking and prettier cookies).
- Now, you can make the indentations by using the back of a ¼ teaspoon (or your index finger). Press down gently about ½ way in (not too far or the jam will come out the bottom). (*Some cracks are normal and you can gently smooth them with your fingers or leave them there)
- Using a small spoon (or piping bag), fill each cookie with jam (don't overfill or it will spill out during baking).
- Bake in the oven until barely lightly golden about 13-15 minutes (baking too long will make them crispy). Carefully check the bottom of a cookie - it should be lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- For accurate results, don't scoop the flour with a measuring cup directly from the flour container. Instead, scoop the flour out of your container with a spoon and then into a measuring cup. Don't pack or tap the cup. After filling, lightly sweep a butter knife across the top to remove the excess flour. * Example photo below recipe card.
- If your dough is too soft or sticky to work with, wrap it in cling wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes. The dough will soften again as you're rolling the balls. Make sure the dough balls are smooth to avoid cracking.
- If your dough is dry or crumbly, you can add ½ teaspoon of non-dairy milk and gently work it in until just combined. Add more if needed.
- Keep stored in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
- I found that the dough cracked less if I made the indentation right after rolling each ball, instead of rolling them all first. If you do see a few cracks, just gently smooth them out with you finger or just leave them be.
- If you don't have an electric mixer, check post above for instructions.
- Makes approximately 40 cookies.
Nutrition
Dani
These were so good! I made them so the vegans would have Christmas cookies at our celebration. I ended up telling them to hide these because the non-vegans had no clue they were eating vegan cookies and kept taking them! They were really easy and so delicious! I’ll definitely make them again!
Melissa Huggins
LOL---That is epic, Dani! Next time, just make a bunch of these for everyone. Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
JD
Should the butter be salted or unsalted?
Melissa Huggins
I used Miyoko's regular salted vegan butter. They have unsalted but I preferred the taste of the salted variety. Some other brands may be higher in sodium, so you may want to reduce the added salt in the recipe if you use salted.
Baillee
Do you think Oat flour would work? Or any gluten free flour. I want to make these for the holidays but most of my family members cant have gluten.
Melissa Huggins
I haven't tried making them gluten-free yet. I don't think oat flour would work well but maybe a gluten-free 1.1 all-purpose would work nicely. I hope this helps 🙂
Cathy
I’ve never made these before for the holidays but gave it a try on a whim. These will definitely be a holiday staple from now on! Easy to make, simple ingredients and delicious. Now I just have to keep my omni I husband from eating them all before I get some lol!
Melissa Huggins
LOL! Thanks for the great feedback, Cathy. I am glad you both like it.🙂
Carol
They are fabulous I use coconut oil on them
Melissa Huggins
Thank you,Carol. 🙂
Jaclyn
In the process of making them now. But I never made a cookie without baking powder or soda, is that alright that this recipe does not call for it.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Jaclyn, I'm sorry for the late reply... your comment was in the spam folder. Yes, the recipe will work perfectly without the baking powder/soda. 🙂
Bee
These cookies are really good, I mean really, really good. I added ground roasted brazil nuts to the flour. Ummm! super.
Melissa Huggins
Thank you Bee! So pleased you like this recipe. 🙂
Brittany Stover
I am 11 years old and I made these cookies and we all LOVED them! They were very delicious.
Melissa Huggins
You are an amazing little girl, Brittany! I am happy everyone enjoyed them 🙂
Shea
We made this with ground fennel in the dough and apricot preserves.
SOOO GOOOD
Melissa Huggins
Glad you liked it Shea. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Emily
Hi! Just wondering if using a vegan butter spread such as Earth Balance would work? Or should only sticks be used? I have used Eart Balance spread for cookies in the past but only chocolate chip! Thank you for this recipe I am so elated to try it out!
Cheryl Bejvoda
These were the best cookies! My daughter, who is vegan, is upset how good they were because everyone devoured them…I am making another batch today lol. Thank you for sharing!
Melissa Huggins
Thank you. I would get upset too! LOL. I hope you both enjoy the next batches as much as you enjoyed the first one. 🙂
Emma
I'm making this for Christmas and can not wait! Looks delicious!
Melissa Huggins
Hope you enjoyed. 🙂
Jamie
I've made these a few times now, and they are always so delicious! Buttery and a tiny bit crumbly. So easy to bake and come together very quickly.
Melissa Huggins
That is great to hear Jaime. 🙂
Melissa
These turned out absolutely amazing!! I followed your recipe perfectly I am beyond happy with the results!! Everyone loved them!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Melissa, I'm so happy everyone loved the recipe. Thank you for giving it a try and sharing your feedback 🙂
Rebecca Asni
Oh. My. Gosh. I am obsessed with these!!! Beyond delicious and super easy!! I wanted to give them a little extra bedazzle at the end, so I drizzled some with a lemon juice+powdered sugar icing. Such a great addition to Thanksgiving and will definitely be revisiting for the holidays!! Thanks for a great recipe!!
Melissa Huggins
I am glad you loved it Rebecca. 🙂 That additional lemon icing is a great idea!
Lakin
I made these cookies for my husband's birthday and they are amazing!! I subbed in 1:1 gluten free flour and used only vanilla extract, but otherwise followed the recipe. I did chill my dough before shaping the cookies because gluten free dough can be very finicky to work with. They came out puffy, soft, and delicious - no spreading either! No one would know these are vegan and gluten free 🙂 I'm not big on jam, so I also filled some with leftover baked cinnamon apples I had in the fridge and wow I highly recommend it!
Melissa Huggins
I'm so glad they worked out well with the GF flour. Thank you for sharing your experience. It's always so helpful to other readers. They sound incredible with the baked apples. I must give that a go next time. Thanks again 🙂
Jennifer
Is that unsalted or salted vegan butter? Would the Earth Balance Organic butter work (it’s the only organic one they have & it’s in a tub)
Also would you consider making a video for this recipe?
Melissa Huggins
Hi Jennifer, I use salted butter, but unsalted will work too. I like Miyoko's butter which is light on salt and they also have an unsalted one. I haven't tried this with tub butter yet. It should work, but it may add more moisture than needed. If you try it, I wouldn't soften it first and I would definitely chill the dough first. I hope this helps 🙂
serena
I've made these before and they're fantastic! I'm wondering how far in advance I could make them for the quality to be best?
Melissa Huggins
I am glad you like them, Serena. For optimal freshness, I would serve them within two days of making them, but you can keep them stored in an airtight container for 5-6 days and they will still be fresh. 🙂