Thumbprint cookies always remind me of my Grandpa. When I was little he used to take me to a bakery and we would always get thumbprint cookies. Now I take my daughter there and we still get them.
I know this sounds crazy, but these cookies are not better fresh. I think they taste better after a few days, the cookies get softer and the icing hardens more….but that’s just my opinion :)
They are great for holidays and showers because you can make the icing any color that you like.
Make sure you make deep thumbprints because they will puff up a little. If you lose the indentation on any of them after they bake, take a spoon and give it a little press while they are still warm.
Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Holly
Recipe type: dessert
Serves: 25
Ingredients
- Cookies:
- 1 egg
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 teaspoon milk
- 2 teaspoon light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine all of the cookie ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until well combined.
- Roll into 1 inch balls, place on cookie sheet and then put a deep thumbprint in each one.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are turning golden brown. Let cool.
- Put all the icing ingredients in small bowl and stir until combined.
- Using a spoon, drop icing into thumbprint hole.
I love this thumbprint cookie filling! These are so pretty :)
Thank you!
So cute! I’ve never used icing for thumbprint filling, what a great idea! Perfect for Valentine’s day and my kiddos would love them :-)
Thanks Stephanie! We grew up on this type of thumbprint cookie that has icing in the middle, it’s our favorite! :)
Since the icing has milk in it, do these need to be refrigerated?
Hi Alyssa, They don’t need to be refrigerated, frosting can sit at room temperature.
frosting recipe for thumbprint cookies. mine never got hard.
Hello Angela, Did you add corn syrup to the icing recipe? The corn syrup is what should cause the icing to harden.
How do you keep the bottoms from turning brown while baking?
My first choice would be to use a non stick baking mat and or a thick cookie sheet. Also make sure you pan is not dark. Hope this helps.
do i need to prep the tray in any way?
Audrey, I bake the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. Thank you.
Can you make the dough ahead of time ?
Hi. Yes, but your would want it let the dough sit out and warm up a little bit before you shape and bake them.
What racket should it be on.
I usually use the middle one.