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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
Marandah Jain
Hi Melissa! A big Vegan hug to you! This is the first recipe of yours I’ve found (!!!!!) but I have baked a few other vegan cookies now. Is it possible to use sunflower oil or buttery coconut oil (perhaps at a cooler, harder temp) instead of vegan butter? I have not cared for the vegan butter I’ve tried for sweet goods and some family members are limited in the oils they can eat. Alternatively, do you have a favorite vegan butter to recommend? Thank you so much! I really look forward to trying this recipe! It looks divine!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Marandah, I'm sorry I missed your comment. It was sitting in the spam folder. I haven't this recipe with anything else so I don't know of the outcome. Have you tried Miyoko's butter? I feel like it has the best flavor for baked goods.
Sarah
Last week at my Knit and natter group one of the ladies gave out little jars of homemade damson jam shed made. I like to bake, so I thought I would bake something that I could give back to her at the next knit and natter. So this evening I made these. I got 45 cookies out of it and just enough jam for all of the cookies. I'm not the biggest fan of jam, so less is more for me, so of course when I did my taste test (just to be safe of course 😉) I was pleasantly surprised that these had the perfect jam to cookie ratio for me. I'm sure the lady who made the jam will be surprised but happy with them. I'll give the rest to friends as I'm not safe with fresh baked goods in my house!
Great recipe. Thank you!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sarah, such a lovely idea to make the cookies with the gifted jam. Glad you loved the cookie to jam ratio too. Thanks for sharing feedback. 🙂
kate
I have been looking for a good uncomplicated cookie recipe for some time. Came across these today and have made them. They are delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Melissa Huggins
I'm so glad you loved them, Kate! I love how easy they are, too. 🙂
Sarah
I just finished making these, and they are delicious!! The perfect flavor and texture, and the recipe was so easy.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sarah, I'm so glad you love them! Thank you for trying the recipe sharing wonderful feedback. 🙂
Irene
These sound delicious and easy. Thank you for the recipe. I was wondering if the dough could be made in advance and then frozen. That way I could have it on hand, defrost and bake the cookies when needed.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Irene, you're most welcome! Yes, you can tightly wrap and freeze the dough for 2-3 months. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and set the dough on the counter for 20 minutes before baking. 🙂
Lee
Good recipe, but I find the size strange. 1/2 a Tbsp seems small to me. Made cookies with just over 1 Tbsp of dough and flattened them slightly. Wound up with 24 cookies that took 15-16 minutes to bake. I omitted the almond extract, since the person I made these for doesn't like it, but upped the vanilla to 1/2 a Tbsp. I also added in some orange zest. Turned out great.
Stephanie Doublait
oMG !!!! I have made these 3 times this week and they are so insanely good!!! I made them for my family and book club and friends and everyone loves them so much. Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Stephanie, This is such a wonderful review! I'm so happy they were a hit with everyone. Thank you for leaving feedback. 🙂
Emily
One of my new go-tos! I’ve made these twice now and both times they turned out amazing, most recently I made them a little bigger so I could make the jam heart-shaped for valentine’s day and they turned out incredible! Everyone who I’ve had try mine has raved about them, if you’re on the fence about making these definitely try them!
Melissa Huggins
Yay! This is so great to hear! So happy everyone loved them. The heart-shaped version sounds perfect for Valentine's Day. Thank you for trying the recipe. 🙂
Emily
These are my favorite cookies!! I make them every Christmas and I always have to do a little dance when I take the first bite. They melt in your mouth. Just perfect!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Emily, this comment made my day! Thank you for making them a part of your Christmas tradition! Merry Christmas 🙂
Jen
Wow, these turned out amazing. A bit crispy on the bottom, soft and chewy. Saving!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Jen, Yay! I'm so glad they were a hit. Thank you so much for making making the recipe and sharing your feedback.
Dana Sodergren
These are delicious, just as good as the ones I usually make with butter. Roll the balls in finely chopped nuts before baking.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Dana, Yay! I'm so glad you loved them. They sounds perfect with the chopped nuts. Thank you so much for making the recipe and sharing your feedback.
Corinn
Absolutely delicious cookies! Definitely might go to recipe that I keep coming back for. Vegan recipe and super easy directions
Melissa Huggins
Hi Corinne, I'm so glad you loved the cookies. Thank you for making them and sharing your feedback. 🙂
Jennifer Hollis
I love them.
Melissa Huggins
I'm so happy you loved them, Jennifer! Thanks for trying the recipe.
Diane
They turned out awesome! So beautiful and delicious!
I used strawberry preserves that I bought at a farmers market. Just right! Thank you!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Diane, I'm so glad you loved the recipe. It sounds perfect with strawberry preserves. Thanks for trying them and sharing your feedback. 🙂
Alexis Young
Easy recipe to follow and delicious. I love that they aren’t overly sweet. Also swapped out raspberry jam for strawberry preserves. Will be making again!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Alexis, I'm so happy you loved them. The strawberry preserves sound perfect! Thanks for sharing your feedback 🙂
dawn
I've made these once, now I'm back again. Everyone loved them that much!! Just perfect, so soft and tender, bit of crispy with a chew of flavor in the center, just fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Dawn, I'm so happy everyone loved them! Thank you for making them and sharing your wonderful feedback. 🙂
Maria Natividad
Really delicious cookies! Made them too big though- did not read the directions closely.
Will make them every year from now on and not just for Christmas! Hopefully they will look
prettier next time LOL
Melissa Huggins
Practice makes perfect! Glad you enjoyed them Maria. 🙂