Every once in a while, a cookie recipe comes along that simply steals your heart, and these Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist do just that. Imagine biting into a buttery, crumbly cookie that holds a sweet dollop of cherry jam in its heart — yes, literally! These delightful treats make a charming addition to any gathering or a perfect afternoon snack that always brings a smile. The clever heart impression adds an adorable touch, making them ideal for gifting or enjoying on special occasions.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

I remember the first time I made these cookies. It was a cozy Sunday afternoon, the sun shining through the kitchen window, and I had a craving for something sweet yet comforting. I had some cherry jam sitting in the fridge, and with just a few simple ingredients, I whipped up these thumbprint beauties. They turned out even better than I imagined — not only delicious but also visually striking. There’s something uniquely satisfying about making cookies that not only taste good but look cute too! I can’t wait for you to try them; you’ll love how effortlessly they come together and how gorgeous they look on a plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can have these cookies ready to devour in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of buttery cookie and sweet cherry jam is a match made in dessert heaven.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The heart shape makes these cookies perfect for holidays or celebrations.
Flexible Serving: Great for snacks, tea parties, or as a sweet treat for loved ones.
Diet-Friendly Options: Swap out cherry jam for your favorite fruit jam for a personalized touch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cherry Jam: A fruity filling that adds a burst of flavor. Use a quality brand or homemade jam for the best taste. Any fruit jam can work if cherry isn’t your top choice.
Whole Cherries (150g, approx. 1 cup): Fresh cherries for making your own jam. Choose ripe ones for a natural sweetness, but frozen cherries can be a great alternative.
Granulated Sugar (50g, 1/4 cup): Sweetens the cherry jam. If you’re watching your sugar intake, feel free to use a sugar substitute.
Lemon Juice (1 tsp): Brightens the flavor of the cherry jam. Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled can work in a pinch.
Unsalted Butter (115g, 1/2 cup): Provides that rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
Icing/Powdered Sugar (60g, 1/2 cup): Sweetens the cookie dough, lending a tender texture. Don’t skip it!
Egg Yolk (1): Adds moisture and flavor to your cookies. Ensure it’s at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp): A classic flavor enhancer that complements the sweetness wonderfully.

How to Make Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

Prepare the Cherry Jam: Finely chop the whole cherries and toss them into a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens. You’ll know it’s ready when the bubbling starts to slow down, and it coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Preheat and Prep: When your cherry jam is cooling, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. This step is key to prevent the cookies from sticking and making cleanup a breeze.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1/2 cup icing sugar until light and fluffy. The mixture should change to a pale color and feel airy — this is how you get those tender bites we all love.

Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in 1 egg yolk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until everything is well incorporated. The vanilla will fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma that hints at the delicious cookies ahead.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and cornstarch until just combined. You don’t want to overwork the dough; it should be soft but not sticky. If it appears too wet, a sprinkle of flour can help achieve the right consistency.

Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 12 uniform balls and space them evenly on the lined baking tray. Now comes the fun part – use two fingertips to press gently into the center of each ball, forming a heart shape by joining your index and middle fingers at the bottom.

Fill with Jam: Carefully spoon the cooled cherry jam into each heart-shaped cavity, but don’t overfill; a little goes a long way.

Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as ovens can vary!

Cool Down: Once done, let the cookies cool on the tray for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to handle without breaking.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to refrigerate them, make sure to wrap them well to avoid drying out, which can last for about two weeks. For longer storage, freeze the thumbprint cookies for up to three months. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, and when you’re ready to enjoy, simply pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to refresh their warm, soft texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make your dough in advance! You can prepare it up to two days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge.
Always ensure your butter is at room temperature to achieve that perfect creamy mixture when combined with the sugar.
If the cookies spread too much while baking, try chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before rolling.
For a fun twist, add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cherry filling before baking to enhance the sweet and tart flavors.
Experiment with different jams; raspberry or apricot offers a beautiful color and taste too.

These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist have all the makings of a dessert that warms your heart and satisfies your cravings. With their simple preparation and adorable presentation, they are sure to be a hit whether you’re munching on them solo or sharing with family and friends. Feel free to try out different jams, sprinkle some nuts for crunch, or even use flavored extracts to customize them. Enjoy the process, and may these cookies bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use another type of jam?

Absolutely! While this recipe features cherry jam, you can substitute it with any fruit jam, such as apricot, raspberry, or strawberry. Just ensure the jam is thick enough to hold its shape.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

If your cookies spread during baking, the most common reason is the butter being too warm. Try chilling the dough before baking, which helps maintain their shape.

Can I make these cookies in advance?

Yes, you can! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to two days. Alternatively, you can bake the cookies and freeze them for up to 3 months; just reheat as instructed.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. They can also be refrigerated or frozen if you want to keep them fresh for longer!

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Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Yield: 12 cookies 1x
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist are bursting with irresistible cherry flavor. With a straightforward preparation process, using simple ingredients like cherry jam and butter, they make an ideal dessert for any occasion. Enjoy these delightful cookies fresh out of the oven!

Ingredients

Scale

cherry jam
150g whole cherries
approx. 1 cup
50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
cookie
115g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
room temperature
60g (1/2 cup) icing/powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Finely chop whole cherries and combine them with sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan.
Heat the mixture over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until thickened and set aside to cool.
Preheat your oven to 175C/350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Cream together the unsalted butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
Gradually mix in the flour and cornstarch, stirring until just combined.
Roll the dough into 12 balls and place them on the prepared tray.
Using two fingerprints joined at the bottom, create a heart shape in the center of each ball.
Fill the heart-shaped cavity with the cooled cherry jam.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown, then transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes or until firm.

Notes

Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
Feel free to substitute cherry jam with your favorite fruit jam for variety.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.