These classic jam-filled cookies are a must for the holiday cookie swap.

How much more homemade can you get?

Pile of classic thumbprint cookies on a platter.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Feel free to get family and friends involved with this recipe and do it in an assembly line.

Just turn up the music, get your hands a bit dirty, and have a baking party!

How to Store Thumbprint Cookies

Store your baked thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Classic thumbprint cookies and a jar of jam and a spoon in the middle of them.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

There’s no need to refrigerate.

These cookies will keep for at least a week before starting to dry out and get crumbly.

How to Freeze Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies freeze best unbaked and unfilled.

Thumbprint cookie ingredients in a mixing bowl

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Once frozen, transfer the unbaked cookies to a freezer bag or other airtight container.

Store in the freezer for up to a month.

(It’s okay if they’re still partially frozen when you put them in the oven.)

Dry ingredients added to a bowl with thumbprint cookie batter

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Add the jam and bake as directed.

Tips for Shaping Thumbprint Cookies

Don’t like jam?

Thumbprint cookie dough in a glass bowl

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Thumbprint Cookies

Have leftover egg whites?Make somemeringue cookiesto go with your thumbprints!

Add the yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mixture.

Set aside the egg whites in a separate shallow bowl.

Balls of dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Add the flour and salt to the mixing bowl and mix until just combined.

Place the dough in the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

A dough ball being rolled in egg whites

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter.

Place the balls on the parchment-lined cookie sheets spaced a few inches apart.

If using nuts, whisk the reserved egg whites until frothy.

Rolling thumbprint cookie dough ball in nuts.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Dip the dough balls into the egg whites and then, roll them into the nuts until covered.

Arrange them on the baking sheets a few inches apart.

Do not press too hard or the cookie will fall apart.

Thumbprint cookie dough rolled into balls and some of them rolled in nuts.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until slightly firm.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Thumbprint cookies on a cookie sheet and ready to be filled.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

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Thumbprint cookies on a baking sheet and filled with a variety of jams.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Baked thumbprint cookies on a baking sheet and filled with a variety of jams

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Overhead view of thumbprint cookies on a cooling rack.

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

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