Easter Thumbprint Cookies

Easter Thumbprint Cookies are a festive, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth treat filled with colorful pastel icing or jam. These adorable cookies are perfect for Easter gatherings, spring celebrations, or a fun baking activity with kids. With a tender shortbread-like base and a sweet filling, they’re both easy to make and irresistibly delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect for Easter – Bright, pastel-colored icing makes these cookies a festive addition to your dessert table.
  • Soft and Buttery – A delicate shortbread-like texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Customizable – Fill with icing, jam, lemon curd, or even chocolate!
  • Simple Ingredients – Made with pantry staples, no special equipment needed.
  • Kid-Friendly – A fun and easy baking project for kids to help with.

Ingredients

Easter Thumbprint Cookies 10 Easter Thumbprint Cookies are a festive, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth treat filled with colorful pastel icing or jam. These adorable cookies are perfect for Easter gatherings, spring celebrations, or a fun baking activity with kids. With a tender shortbread-like base and a sweet filling, they’re both easy to make and irresistibly delicious!

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cookies:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsalted butter (softened)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract (optional for extra flavor)
  • Salt

For the Filling:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk (or lemon juice for a tangy glaze)
  • Food coloring (pastel shades for Easter)
  • Jam or lemon curd (optional alternative to icing)

Directions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Make the Dough: In a bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and almond extract. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  3. Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the baking sheet.
  4. Make the Thumbprint Indent: Gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each cookie.
  5. Bake: Bake for 12-14 minutes, until edges are set but not browned. Let cool completely.
  6. Prepare the Icing: Mix powdered sugar with a little milk or lemon juice until smooth. Divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring.
  7. Fill the Thumbprints: Spoon icing into the indentations or fill with jam/lemon curd. Let the icing set before serving.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: About 20-24 cookies
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Bake Time: 12-14 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Center: Fill with melted chocolate or Nutella instead of icing.
  • Jam-Filled: Use raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam for a fruity twist.
  • Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy flavor.
  • Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for a GF-friendly version.
  • Drizzle Effect: Drizzle white or dark chocolate over the cookies for an elegant touch.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Refrigeration: If using jam or lemon curd, keep refrigerated for up to a week.
  • Freezing: Freeze unfilled cookies for up to 2 months. Fill after thawing.

FAQs

Easter Thumbprint Cookies
Easter Thumbprint Cookies 11 Easter Thumbprint Cookies are a festive, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth treat filled with colorful pastel icing or jam. These adorable cookies are perfect for Easter gatherings, spring celebrations, or a fun baking activity with kids. With a tender shortbread-like base and a sweet filling, they’re both easy to make and irresistibly delicious!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for a month.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Ensure your butter is softened but not melted, and don’t overmix the dough.

Can I make these without almond extract?

Yes, you can omit it or replace it with extra vanilla.

How do I get vibrant pastel colors?

Use gel food coloring for richer, pastel shades without making the icing too watery.

Can I use buttercream instead of icing?

Absolutely! Pipe or spread a small amount into the thumbprints.

What’s the best jam for these cookies?

Raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam works best, but any thick jam will do.

How do I prevent cracks in the cookies?

Roll the dough smoothly and press gently when making the thumbprint indent.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter gives the best flavor, but margarine can be used in a pinch.

How long does the icing take to set?

It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on humidity.

Can I add coconut or nuts?

Yes! Sprinkle coconut flakes or chopped nuts over the icing for extra texture.

Conclusion

Easter Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful, festive treat that’s easy to make and fun to decorate. Whether you fill them with pastel icing, jam, or lemon curd, they’ll be a hit at any spring celebration. Bake a batch for Easter, a baby shower, or just a cheerful treat for the season!

Print
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Easter Thumbprint Cookies

Easter Thumbprint Cookies

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  • Author: samahkitchen
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: ~24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These buttery shortbread thumbprint cookies are filled with vibrant pastel frosting or fruit jam, making them a fun and festive Easter treat! They’re easy to make, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and can be customized with different fillings and decorations like sprinkles or mini chocolate eggs.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Filling Options:

Pastel Buttercream Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

12 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Food coloring (pink, yellow, blue, or purple)

Jam Filling (Easy Option):

1/2 cup fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, or apricot)

Optional Toppings:

Pastel sprinkles

Mini chocolate eggs


Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  2. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
  3. Press a small indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon.
  4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  5. If the centers puff up during baking, gently press the indentation again while warm.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

For Buttercream Frosting:
9. In a bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and fluffy.
10. Divide into bowls and tint with pastel food coloring.

For Jam Filling:
11. Heat jam slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds, then stir to loosen.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

  1. Once cookies are completely cool, fill each center with frosting or jam using a spoon or piping bag.
  2. Decorate with sprinkles or mini chocolate eggs for a festive touch!

Notes

  • For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon almond extract to the dough.
  • Make-ahead tip: Store unfilled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

 

  • For a chocolate version, dip the bottoms in melted white or dark chocolate!

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