These gorgeous mixed berry preserves-filled orange thumbprint cookies, topped with a simple orange and vanilla extract powdered glaze, are a delicious treat that combines buttery, sweet, citrusy, and fruity flavors to create a cookie worthy of any cookie tray or platter. Whether you bake these cookies during the holidays or just because you’re craving something sweet, they’re guaranteed to be an instant hit with anyone who tries them.
Usually, when people ask me what my favorite food is, I have a hard time answering. I mean, there are just so many options to choose from. When it comes to pretzels, mustard, and cheese, well, those are pretty much everyday necessities in my book. I need those three things just to survive. However, when it comes to foods that cause me to sing a little ditty and do a wee enthusiastic happy dance, deviled eggs, chocolate eclairs, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, hush puppies, creme brúlée, and fried calamari would all be on the list. Picking just one of those foods as a favorite just wouldn’t be right. Now, if you were to ask me what my favorite type of cookie is, that’s a whole other story. Without any hesitation, the answer will always be a thumbprint cookie. They’re buttery, flaky, crunchy, and can be filled with just about anything. I love that they are so versatile, and because of that, I never get tired of experimenting with new recipes for them. Below, you’ll find a list of some of my favorites, however, if you CLICK HERE, you can also find a list of all of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck’s past thumbprint cookie recipes. All I ask is that you please don’t force me to pick a favorite from the list. There’s just no way I could do it. They’re like my little cookie children, and I refuse to play favorites.
Thumbprint Cookie Recipes
Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Salted Honey Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies
Honey & Balsamic Blueberry Jam Cookies
Buttery Apple Streusel Thumbprint Cookies
Malibu Winter Thumbprint Cookies
Sugar Plum Fairy Holiday Cookies
Irish Whiskey Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Raspberry-Cranberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients:
Cookies:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 Teaspoon Orange Extract
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- Mixed Berry Preserves
Glaze:
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 to 4 Teaspoons of Cold Water
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/2 Teaspoon Orange Extract
Directions:
Cookies:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and orange extract; mix for 30 seconds on medium speed.
- Add the flour half a cup at a time, on low speed; mix just until incorporated.
- Cover and chill for 1 hour, or until the dough is easy to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls 2 inches apart on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Spoon preserves into the indentation of each cookie.
- Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are light brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Glaze:
- After the cookies have completely cooled, mix all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle the glaze onto the cooled cookies.
- Allow the cookies to sit for several hours before packaging them in an airtight container.
Suggestions:
- I used Bonne Maman Mixed Berries Preserves for these cookies, however, you can use any brand or variety of mixed berry jam, jelly, or preserves in this recipe.
- I used Pure Orange Extract from Penzeys in this recipe. You can find it available online, or look for a similar orange extract in your local market’s spice aisle.
- Drizzle the glaze onto the cookies with the tines of a fork.
- If your glaze is too thick to drizzle, add another teaspoon of water.
- When storing the cookies, place a piece of waxed paper between each layer of cookies to prevent the cookies from sticking to one another.
- This recipe will yield approximately 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.
Improvements:
- Add orange zest to the glaze or the cookie dough.
- Sprinkle poppy seeds on top of the glaze.
- Add a little bit of ground cinnamon to the cookie glaze.
- Play around with different varieties of preserves.
- CLICK HERE to check out all of our past cookie recipes. Don’t forget to check out our Christmas cookies section.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 Teaspoon Orange Extract
- 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- Mixed Berry Preserves
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 to 4 Teaspoons of Cold Water
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1/2 Teaspoon Orange Extract
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and orange extract; mix for 30 seconds on medium speed.
- Add the flour half a cup at a time, on low speed; mix just until incorporated.
- Cover and chill for 1 hour, or until the dough is easy to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls 2 inches apart on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Using your thumb, press an indentation into the center of each ball. Spoon preserves into the indentation of each cookie.
- Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are light brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 3 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- After the cookies have completely cooled, mix all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle the glaze onto the cooled cookies.
- Allow the cookies to sit for several hours before packaging them in an airtight container.
PIN THIS RECIPE
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5 Christmas Cookies – 1 Batch of Cookie Dough
Reindeer Molasses Spice Cookies
Salted Honey Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and delicious holiday cookies. From classic butter cookies to iced gingerbread cookies, this list of ultimate Christmas cookie recipes has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for festive colors, unique seasonal ingredients, or just a cookie that’s super easy to make, these Christmas cookie recipes will help you find the perfect cookie for the season. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
From classic snowball cookies to jam-filled thumbprint cookies, there are endless options for creating delicious holiday treats for friends, neighbors, and family. With this 25 Days of Christmas Cookies recipe round-up, you can find the perfect recipe for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy cookie recipe to bring to a holiday party, or something more elaborate to gift to a loved one, you’ll find it right here. CLICK HERE for the recipes.
This will be the 7th year Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck has participated in this particular Christmas Cookies Week event. Below you can find links to all of the recipes we have contributed throughout the years, however, you can also CLICK HERE to find an entire list of our past cookie recipes. Don’t be afraid to let a non-traditional cookie recipe play a role in your holiday baking this year because when it comes to Christmas cookies, variety is always a good thing. Happy baking y’all.
2023
Ginger’s Cherry Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies
Sparkling Sugar Irish Butter Slice & Bake Cookies
White Chocolate Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Orange Mixed Berry Glazed Thumbprint Cookies
Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Panko Cookies
2022
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Lemon Iced Gingerbread Cookies
2021
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Cappuccino Swirl Butter Cookies
Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cocoa Powder Cookies
Old-Fashioned Jubilee Jumbles Cookies
2020
Cinnamon Chip Holiday Spice Cake Mix Cookies
Peppermint Cream Cheese Crushed Oreo Cookies
Cran-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies with Grape Nuts
Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies
2019
Cream Cheese Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Winter Wonderland Cookies
Coconut Grinchy Christmas Breakfast Cookies
Soft Cinnamon Apple Pecan Cookies
Chocolate-Dipped Christmas Butter Cookies
2018
Chocolate Espresso Brown Sugar Cookies
White Christmas Peppermint Holiday Cookies
Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cookies
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cereal Cookies
Whoville Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies
2017
Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mexican Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies
Make sure to check out all of the other great Christmas Cookies Week 2023 recipes below. A huge thanks to Jolene’s Recipe Journal for hosting this event.
- Orange Mixed Berry Glazed Thumbprint Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Mix in a Jar: Mint Chip Candy Cane Cookies by That Recipe
- Cinnamon Spiced Shortbread by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Rosettes by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
