Description
These Thumbprint Heart Cookies are delightful, buttery treats filled with your choice of sweet jam. Soft, tender, and perfectly baked with a charming jam-filled center, they make an ideal snack or dessert for any occasion. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these cookies bake to golden perfection and are wonderfully fragrant with vanilla.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup butter (about 170 g), softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- ~1/4 cup jam of your choice (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 175 °C (350 °F). Preparing your ingredients and tools ahead creates a smooth workflow and efficient baking process.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and light brown sugar. Use a hand or stand mixer to cream until light and fluffy, incorporating air for tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Crack the egg into the bowl and add vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly to combine and create a smooth base for the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually fold this mixture into the creamed wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing gently until just combined to avoid tough cookies. The dough should be cohesive and slightly sticky.
- Form Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough into balls approximately one tablespoon each. Place them spaced apart on a lined baking sheet to allow spreading.
- Create Thumbprints: Using your finger or the back of a spoon, gently press down on the center of each dough ball to create an indentation for the jam filling.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon a small amount of jam (about a teaspoon) into each indentation, being careful not to overfill to prevent overflow while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Watch for lightly golden edges, indicating that the cookies are done with jam slightly bubbling.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set and develop full flavor.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender.
- Choose a jam with a consistency that isn’t too runny to prevent overflow.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- These cookies can be frozen before baking; thaw and bake as directed.
