Nutty Jam Thumbprints
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These Nutty Jam Thumbprints could win a cookie contest on looks alone, but they’re just as delicious as they are pretty.
These nutty jam thumbprints could win a cookie contest on looks alone, but they’re just as delicious as they are pretty. The cookie is actually a Mexican wedding cookie, also known as a Russian tea cake, Viennese crescents or snowball cookies. Nutty and not-too-sweet, these cookies make a wonderful shortbread-like base for a dollop of luscious fruit preserves. The recipe is adapted from Alice Medrich’s award-winning cookie book Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy.
“I’ve made jam thumbprints for many years but your recipe is the best. They’re delicious and beautiful to look at.”
What You’ll Need To Make Nutty Jam Thumbprints
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness. The sugar is blitzed in a food processor to give it a superfine texture; this makes the cookies extra tender.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies. Measure by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
- Pecans: Contribute a nutty flavor and crunchy texture when finely ground.
- Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the dough with a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Used for dusting the cookies, adding a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Jam, Jelly, or Preserves: Provides a sweet and fruity filling in the center of each cookie. You can use any jam or jelly you like. I love Bonne Maman strawberry, raspberry, four fruit or apricot. Chocolate will work too; for chocolate lovers, try Nutella or chocolate ganache.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
The most tender wedding cookies are made with superfine sugar, so begin by pulsing the granulated sugar in a food processor until it is fine and powdery.
Next, add the flour, salt, and pecans.
Process the mixture until the nuts are finely ground.
Add the butter.
Then pulse until the mixture comes together.
Transfer the dough to a bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.
Roll the dough into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Use the handle of a wooden spoon to press an indentation about 3/4 of the way down into the center of each ball (you could also use your thumb but a wooden spoon works much better).
Bake for 22-24 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a rack. Let the cookies cool slightly, then dust them generously with powdered sugar.
Fill the cookies using a tiny spoon or the tips of teaspoon handles.
That’s all there is to it. Such beauties!
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Nutty Jam Thumbprints
These Nutty Jam Thumbprints could win a cookie contest on looks alone, but they’re just as delicious as they are pretty.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups pecans
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened and cut unto 1-inch chunks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
- ½ cup favorite jam, jelly or preserves (best quality, such as Bonne Maman)
Instructions
- Put the granulated sugar in the food processor and process until it is fine and powdery, about 30 seconds. (Be sure to cover the feed tube so the powder doesn’t float out.)
- Add the flour, salt and pecans and pulse until the nuts are finely ground.
- Add the butter and vanilla and process until the mixture looks damp and comes together. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover with saran wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
- Position racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Use the tip of a wooden spoon handle to press an indentation about ¾ of the way down into the center of each ball (twist slightly to release; if the handle sticks, dip it in flour). Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, or until lightly colored on top and golden brown on the bottom. (If your oven cooks unevenly, rotate cookies from top to bottom and from front to back halfway through baking time.)
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Using a sieve, dust cookies with confectioners’ sugar. Use a tiny spoon or the tip of a teaspoon handle to fill with jam, jelly or preserves.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The Cookie Dough can be Frozen for up to 3 Months: Roll the dough into balls, let set on a baking sheet in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.) To Freeze After Baking: Let the cookies cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature. (For best results, add the jam after defrosting.)
Nutrition Information
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- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Sodium: 26 mg
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I have been making thumbprint cookies for decades. I was using a recipe where the dough had to be rolled in egg whites and then the nuts. This recipe is so much easier and very delicious. I will be using this recipe from now on!!
If I make ahead & freeze, should I dust with 10X sugar before freezing or after?
Hi Mary, you could go either way here. Hope you enjoy!
I made these for my visiting Grandchildren….gone in 2 hours!! I let them help make a new batch, also gone.. a little slower this time. Thank you for the fun we had with these! DELICIOUS!
These cookies were a huge hit with everyone who tried them. Four people (including my husband :-)) described them as “the perfect cookie” — and I can’t imagine a better compliment than that!
For color contrast I used Bonne Maman blueberry jam for half the batch and apricot jam for the other half. My son’s girlfriend strongly favored the blueberry jam cookies, but everyone else enjoyed both; and having at least two jam colors made for a very pretty display.
I made these for a bridal shower and used raspberry jam. Let me tell you, they were a HUGE hit. Several people were asking for a recipe! Will be making again over the holiday season. The only trouble I had was with making the actual dent. I think I made it a little to deep, but they turned out great either way! Thank you! Olga
Can you help me to make one giant thumbprint cookie from this recipe? We are having a birthday celebration for our Pastor and this is his favorite cookie. I was hoping to make it his “birthday” cake. I would greatly appreciate your input (even if it’s your expert opinion that this is a bad idea). Many thanks and God bless.
Hi Marla, Unfortunately, I don’t think that would work– sorry! You could however, arrange them in a circle, like in the shape of a cake, and stick a candle in the very center cookie :).
Thanks so much. I appreciate your suggestion and the time you took to reply.
Hi! These cookies are delectable! Question-how much do these cookies spread? Mine turned out pretty large considering I only rolled them in a 1 inch size. The ‘hole’ for the filling was more of a dent. I think in my fear of using too much flour I used too little. Could that be it? Thank you so much!
The cookies should be about 1 3/4 ” wide. It could be that maybe you needed to use just a bit more flour. And make sure when you make the hole for the filling, that you make it fairly deep- about 3/4 of the way through the ball.
I havent made these yet, but have been looking for a good recipe. I think this is the one! These look absolutely delicious!
This is such a great recipe !! What do you recommend using to make 1 inch balls?
Hi Lisa, you could just eyeball them (it gets easy after a few), or you could use a mini ice cream scoop or melon baller if you have the right size.
Would these freeze well? If so, would you recommend freezing with or without the jam? If it matters, I typically freeze in Tupperware with bubble wrap between each layer of cookies.
Yes Lisa, I think these would freeze well. You could put the jelly on them before freezing, but I would suggest waiting until you’re about to serve them.