These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (2024)

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (1)

The sweetest way to spread holiday cheer this year? By baking up a few batches of these easy thumbprint cookies. Out of all the Christmas cookie recipes out there, thumbprints are definitely the ones that bring us the most nostalgia. Once you begin whipping up these holiday treats with your family, you'll instantly be taken back to your own childhood. Although there are several recipes for the traditional take that feature a sugar cookie base with a raspberry filling, there are tons of other inventive options you'll want to try immediately. If you're a chocoholic, you're in luck, because there are many chocolate-filled treats on this list. The chocolate mint thumbprint cookies, chocolate espresso thumbprint cookies, and chocolate hazelnut thumbprints with Kahlua ganache are especially divine. There are also lots of recipes on this list featuring the most beloved flavors of the season, including the gingerbread thumbprint cookies, candy cane Kiss cookies, and eggnog thumbprint cookies. If you're baking up a batch with the kids, they'll especially love the Twix thumbprint cookies, mini chocolate chip thumbprint cookies, and brownie chocolate chip cookie thumbprint cookies. Once you serve these treats at your Christmas party or Christmas dinner, your friends and family will be insisting you make them every year.

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1

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (3)

Talk about a showstopper of a recipe. Kids will enjoy decorating these confections with festive sprinkles and icing.

Get the recipe at Number 2 Pencil.

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2

Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (5)

This batch of thumbprint cookies is bursting with minty freshness in both the cookie and the filling. The secret? Créme de Menthe liqueur and baking chips.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

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3

Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (7)

No one will be able to resist these Nutella-filled treats. Make sure you have enough ingredients on hand to bake a double batch, because these cookies won't last long.

Get the recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

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4

Chocolate Sprinkle Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (9)

Calling all chocolate lovers: This might be the only thumbprint recipe you ever bake again. You can even customize this cookie by using your favorite flavor of Hershey's kisses.

Get the recipe at My Incredible Recipes.

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5

Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling

The creamy filling makes these cocoa-infused thumbprint cookies absolutely melt in your mouth. Of course, not only do they taste amazing, but they also look incredible too.

Get the recipe at The Recipe Critic.

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6

Caramel Apple Spice Thumbprints

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (13)

Move on over, apple pie—there's a new fruit-filled treat in town. These thumbprints are the perfect balance of sweet and spiced flavors.

Get the recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction.

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7

Twix Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (15)

Kids will especially love their favorite candy bar in cookie form. This blogger writes that her recipe tastes just like a Twix—but even better.

Get the recipe at Cooking Classy.

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8

Buttercream Walnut Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (17)

Make sure you roast your walnuts before adding them into this mix. This blogger notes the simple step "really brings out their flavor."

Get the recipe at The Almond Eater.

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9

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (19)

A crunchy chocolate cookie paired with a creamy caramel filling is a dreamy combination. A drizzle of chocolate makes it even more decadent.

Get the recipe at Lil' Luna.

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10

Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

For the ultimate quick and easy recipe, use a store bought cookie mix to make these classic treats.

Get the recipe at The Bearfoot Baker.

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11

Mint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (23)

These mouthwatering sweets are filled with a white chocolate mint ganache.

Get the recipe at Marsha's Baking Addiction.

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12

Eggnog Thumbprints

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (25)

This colorful dessert gets a dose of egg nog in both the cookie batter and the creamy center.

Get the recipe at Inside BruCrew Life.

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13

Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (27)

Coffee lovers will love this ultra rich dessert.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

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14

Ginger Molasses Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (29)

These sugar and spiced cookies are complete with a creamy caramel center.

Get the recipe at Saving Dessert.

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15

Salted Caramel Almond Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (31)

Everyone will go nutty for this 20-minute recipe.

Get the recipe at A Latte Food.

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16

Dulce De Leche Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (33)

This blogger recommends using a shiny aluminum baking pan to make the best looking cookies.

Get the recipe at Love and Olive Oil.

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17

Raspberry Walnut Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (35)

Rolled in chopped walnuts, this cookie gives a satisfying crunch.

Get the recipe at Jo Cooks.

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18

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (37)

Make your standard sugar cookie unforgettable by adding a peppermint-flavored Hershey's Kiss.

Get the recipe at Hot Beauty Health.

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19

Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (39)

This recipe is sweet, spiced, and oh-so-nice, thanks to its gingerbread base and white chocolate filling.

Get the recipe at Swanky Recipes.

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20

Chocolate Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies

These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (41)

You can't go wrong with the mouthwatering combination of chocolate and pumpkin—especially in this easy recipe.

Get the recipe at Creme de la Crumb.

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These Thumbprint Cookie Recipes Will Instantly Become a Holiday Favorite (2024)

FAQs

Why are they called thumbprint cookies? ›

Thumbprint Cookies originally got their name from bakers who pushed their thumb down into the cookies, creating a small indentation in each one.

How to keep thumbprint cookies from spreading? ›

Storing your dough in the fridge helps to harden the fat and prevent your cookies from spreading. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Should you refrigerate thumbprint cookies? ›

Store your baked thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. There's no need to refrigerate. These cookies will keep for at least a week before starting to dry out and get crumbly.

Why do my thumbprint cookies go flat? ›

If your cookies repeatedly turn out flat, no matter the recipe, chances are your oven is too hot. Here's what's happening. The butter melts super quickly in a too-hot oven before the other ingredients have firmed up into a cookie structure.

What is the old name for cookies? ›

While the English primarily referred to cookies as small cakes, seed biscuits, or tea cakes, or by specific names, such as jumbal or macaroon, the Dutch called the koekjes, a diminutive of koek (cake)...

Who invented thumbprint cookies? ›

A thumbprint cookie is an Americanized version of a Swedish favorite, called hallongrotta, according to Plated. The Swedish name translates to raspberry cave, a reference to the type of jam traditionally used to fill the fingertip-sized depression in the treat.

What is the shelf life of thumbprint cookies? ›

When does Thumbprint Cookies expire? Thumbprint cookies, whether homemade or store-bought, generally maintain their best quality for up to 1 to 2 weeks at normal room temperature. If you store your cookies in the fridge, you can extend their life to about 3 weeks.

What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›

The chocolate chip cookie is far and away America's favorite cookie This should come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys the tasty treat. More than 53% of American adults prefer the cookies over the next most popular kind, peanut butter.

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

What is the most eaten cookie at Christmas? ›

Based on this data from General Mills, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular Christmas cookie in the country; it's the most-visited cookie recipe in seven states, which means it's the most common favorite cookie in the U.S. That's a pretty high honor!

Can I freeze dough for thumbprint cookies? ›

Absolutely! Thumbprint cookies will either have their indentions made before or after baking. If that occurs before baking, you can do that before they're frozen so that they're ready to go when you're ready to bake them.

Which is better, baking soda or baking powder? ›

When to use which one. Baking soda is used in recipes that also include an acidic ingredient, such as cream of tartar, buttermilk, or citrus juice. Conversely, baking powder is typically used when the recipe doesn't feature an acidic ingredient, as the powder already includes the acid needed to produce carbon dioxide.

How long can thumbprint cookie dough be refrigerated? ›

Most cookie dough can be refrigerated, well-wrapped, for 3-5 days before baking. If you want to make it farther in advance, freeze the dough. You can either freeze the entire brick of dough or divide it into portions for quick baking.

Why did my thumbprint cookies not rise? ›

OVEN IS TOO HOT

If you bake cookies using too much heat, the fats in the dough begin to melt before the other ingredients can cook together and form your cookie's rise. Always bake cookies according to the temperature recommended by your cookie recipe.

Should you squish cookies before baking? ›

So long as they end up evenly flat, that is; squashing cookies haphazardly under your palm means they may bake and brown unevenly. Still, if you care deeply (or even casually) about the look of your cookies, you can take the flattening step as an opportunity for enhancement.

How do you pack thumbprint cookies? ›

Layer With Parchment

Layer cookies between waxed or parchment paper. This keeps them from sticking together or losing crispness. Metal tins keep cookies firmer than plastic bins. Let cookies cool before storing.

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