Just Baking

Baking cookies is the best way to placate yourself and your kids, and for me, it’s also a favorite pastime! What I love about cookies is that they can be simple and festive at the same time. I had thumbprint cookies on my mind for a long time. The name “thumbprint” comes from the fact that you use your thumb to make an indentation into each ball of dough, which is then filled with some jam. The best part is that these tiny delights are very easy to make and extremely versatile. Just follow the basic recipe and use your choice of fruit flavors or even chocolate as a filling. No matter what’s the occasion, they are sure to be a hit!

I made mine with walnuts and mixed-fruit jam. You can use any other jam or fruit preserves of your choice. Chocolate or Nutella are other great variations. I think I’ll be making these again with hazelnut and chocolate next time. These bite-sized cookies are a perfect snack for parties or picnics too!

Ingredients
Makes about 25 cookies

• 4 oz butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup ground walnuts
• 1/3 cup mixed-fruit jam (or any other of your choice)

Method
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 7-8 mins.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour and ground walnuts and add to the creamed butter mixture. Mix until well combined to form a soft dough. Do not knead a lot as this can get pretty sticky. Use some all-purpose flour for dusting.

Now refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This makes is easier to shape the cookies.

Take a teaspoonful of dough in your hand, form a small ball, and press lightly in the center with your finger to make a shallow hole (use light pressure with your thumb or index finger).

Arrange the cookies on the baking trays, 2 inches apart. (Leave enough space, as they will spread a bit as they bake.) Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are slightly colored and the cookies look firm.

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then fill the holes with your favorite jam.

These Thumbprint Cookies filled with jam are pretty to look at, easy to make, and delicious to eat, and eggless, too! The semi-hard texture with nuts is nicely balanced with the smooth sweetness of the jam, making this recipe a sure-shot winner. I’m so glad I tried them and will definitely be baking more of these! (Img source: Fun and Food)

Similar Recipes:
Eggless Almond Cookies (Nankhatai)
Peppermint-Vanilla Butter Cookies
Chewy Chocolate-Chip Cookies