Name: Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder; ½ cup granulated sugar for coating (or your preferred topping such as coarse sugar, powdered sugar, finely chopped roasted nuts, or desiccated coconut); ½ cup seedless jam (or your preferred fillings such as lemon curd, fruit curd, hard candies, Nutella, chocolates, or Hershey kisses)

There's something utterly charming about bite-sized treats that balance rich chocolate with vibrant fruitiness, and this Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe does just that. With buttery, soft centers nestled beneath a crisp exterior, these cookies become instant favorites for sharing or enjoying with your afternoon tea.

A wooden box lined with printed parchment paper holds four different kinds of cookies arranged in layers. On the top left, there are dark brown cookies with a chocolate center, one tied with a red and white string. Below them, round cookies have a red jelly center with a rough texture, stacked with peppermint candies tucked in between. To the right, light beige cookies with yellow jelly centers are stacked in a layer on top of more of the red jelly center cookies, some with heart shapes, interspersed with small peppermint candies. The bottom right corner shows dark brown cookies topped with chocolate swirls and sprinkled with nuts, some tied with red and white string, next to a few bright red sugar-coated cookies with peppermint candy centers. Outside the box on the right, three cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, and two candy canes are shaped into a heart. Red and white beaded garlands with golden bells and a red ribbon decorate the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've been baking these thumbprint cookies for years, especially around the holidays, and they never fail to bring smiles. The combination of chocolate dough with bright, jammy filling is just so comforting and versatile—you can tweak the flavors however you want, which makes baking them even more fun.

Double Delight: This recipe features two dough flavors—vanilla and cocoa—offering a lovely contrast in every batch.
Customizable Fillings and Toppings: You can switch up jams, curds, or even add chocolates right after baking for endless creativity.
No Chilling Needed: Unlike many cookie recipes, this dough is ready to bake straight away, saving you time when you want those cookies ASAP.
Soft Inside, Crisp Outside: The texture hits the perfect balance, making every bite melt in your mouth but still satisfying with a bit of crunch.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect bite. From the rich butter that gives tender crumb to the Dutch process cocoa adding depth and earthiness, these components blend for a truly memorable cookie experience.

Flat lay of a smooth stick of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of fine sea salt crystals, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a neat mound of all purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of clear pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl of rich dark dutch processed cocoa powder, a small white bowl of seedless raspberry jam placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter ensures the dough is silky and helps achieve that crisp edge with a melt-in-the-mouth center.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slight caramelized crunch when baked.
Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and a richer flavor thanks to its molasses content.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate and jam flavors beautifully.
Large Egg: Binds everything together and adds structure to the cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, giving it body while keeping the cookies tender.
Baking Powder: Gives just a bit of lift—not too much, so the cookies stay compact but soft.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor and complements both chocolate and fruity fillings.
Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder: Adds that intense, rich chocolate flavor that’s less acidic and more mellow.
Granulated Sugar for Coating: Optional but adds a delightful sparkle and crunch on the cookie surface.
Seedless Jam: The star filling—choose your favorite fruit jam or curd to personalize your cookies.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to adapt for different occasions and tastes. I love switching up jams or playing with coatings to keep things interesting—and you might find your next favorite combo too!

Variation: Try using lemon curd or apricot jam for a bright, tangy twist that contrasts beautifully with the chocolate dough—I always get compliments when I do this.
Dietary Swap: You can swap the butter for a plant-based margarine for a dairy-free version. Just be sure it's stickier or you'll want to chill the dough.
Seasonal Touch: Around the holidays, I sometimes roll the dough balls in crushed peppermint candies or colored sanding sugar for festive charm.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A variety of cookies are closely packed together on a wooden tray over a white marbled surface. In the center, there are pale beige round cookies with a shiny red jam filling in the middle, with a smooth soft texture. Surrounding these are deep brown cookies coated with chopped nuts and topped with swirls of dark chocolate, tied with a red and white string around them. At the bottom, two bright red cookies covered in coarse sugar have a small candy cane piece and white drizzle on top. Behind the cookies, small candy canes wrapped in red and white stripes are placed in a small white dish filled with chocolates and more cookies, creating a festive look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugar. Aim for a light and fluffy texture—that's the magic carpet that carries air for a tender crumb. I always scrape down the bowl a couple of times to make sure everything blends evenly.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Salt, and Vanilla

Next, in goes the salt, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat again until the mixture feels light and a bit airy. This helps the cookies develop a soft inside without turning cakey. Watch for a homogenous mixture—no streaks of butter or egg!

Step 3: Folding in Dry Ingredients

Now, sift the flour and baking powder directly into the bowl to avoid lumps, then gently fold until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix here or your cookies might turn dense. If you want those classic chocolate thumbprints, split the dough in half and stir cocoa powder into one half.

Step 4: Shaping and Coating the Cookies

Use a cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons) to portion both vanilla and chocolate dough, rolling each into a smooth ball between your palms. Then, roll them in your choice of topping—granulated sugar is classic, but powdered sugar or toasted nuts add lovely texture. To create the perfect thumbprint, press your thumb or a teaspoon gently in the center, making an indentation that won’t disappear when baked.

Step 5: Filling and Baking

Fill each indentation with your chosen jam—my go-to is seedless raspberry jam for its bright flavor and smooth texture. Arrange cookies spaced about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then bake at 355°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes. The cookies should look set but still soft in the center; don’t overbake or they’ll be brittle instead of chewy.

Step 6: Adding Final Touches

Right out of the oven, you can add finishing touches like dollops of Nutella or chocolates pressed gently into the warm cookies—just be careful not to burn yourself! Let them cool completely on a rack before storing. These little gems keep their soft center beautifully for days.

Top Tip

From my experience, getting the perfect cookie texture in this Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe comes down to a few small tricks that make all the difference—little details in technique and timing.

Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter, not melted, creates a dough that’s easy to work with and keeps the texture balanced.
Don’t Skip Sifting: Sifting your flour and baking powder prevents clumps and ensures even incorporation, making the dough smooth.
Press Gently But Firmly: When making the thumbprints, a gentle but decisive press ensures the indentation won’t close up while baking.
Watch the Bake Time: The cookies will still look soft when they come out but will firm up as they cool—removing them too late makes them crispy, too early means doughy centers.

How to Serve Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep the garnishes simple but eye-catching—light dustings of powdered sugar add a snowy touch in winter, and a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios brings a pop of color and crunch. Sometimes, I garnish with small fresh mint leaves for a fresh look that pairs surprisingly well with jam.

Side Dishes

These cookies are delightful on their own, but for an afternoon tea or coffee break, I pair them with a cup of Earl Grey or a creamy latte. If you want to serve during a holiday gathering, platter them alongside spiced nuts, fresh fruit slices, or even a cheese board for a sweet and savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

During Christmas, I love arranging these thumbprint cookies in a circular pattern to mimic a wreath, garnishing with small edible flowers or colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. For gift-giving, layering them in a decorative tin with parchment paper separators always impresses friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for up to 5 days, perfect if you want to prepare in advance for holiday parties or just enjoy over time.

Freezing

I often freeze baked, cooled cookies in a sealed freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, I thaw them at room temperature for about an hour. This way, they keep their texture and flavors intact, almost like freshly baked.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up a bit, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens the filling and brings out the aroma without drying out the cookie. Just be sure not to overheat or they might get too soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can choose seedless jams, curds, or even preserves. Just pick something that isn’t too runny to avoid spreading too much while baking.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

No chilling is needed for this Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe, which makes it faster to bake when you’re short on time.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes! Use plant-based butter alternatives that are solid at room temperature. Keep in mind, the texture may shift slightly, but they will still taste delicious.

How do I keep the cookie indents from disappearing during baking?

Press your thumb or teaspoon gently but firmly to create a deep enough well. Don’t push too hard to break through the dough, but enough so the indentation remains crisp after baking.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate and Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s reliable, endlessly adaptable, and loved by everyone who tries it. Whether you’re baking for your family, a holiday party, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies always deliver. I can’t wait for you to make them and find your own favorite flavor combos—trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to cookie, too!