Thumbprint Cookie Dough

Oct 13, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

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Thumbprint cookie dough cooling on parchment on a wooden table, a few stacked

Buttery, slightly nutty thumbprints with a deep well for jam, curd, caramel or ganache.

Prep 20 min

Cook 14 min

Cooling 45 min

Total 1 hr 19 min

Yield 24 cookies

Diet —

Ingredients

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1.0 cup (226.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup (130.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 (36.0 g)large egg yolks
2.0 tsp (10.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups (280.0 g)all-purpose flour
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
1.0 cup (110.0 g)finely chopped pecans or almonds

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Instructions

Beat the butter and sugar 2 minutes, beat in the yolks and vanilla, then stir in the flour and salt. Chill 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll tablespoon balls, roll them in the nuts and set on lined sheets. Press a deep well in each with your thumb.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden. Press the wells again while hot, cool, then fill.

Tips

Press the wells twice, before and after baking, so there is room for the filling.
Fill with jam before baking for a set center, or with curd or ganache after for a soft one.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make thumbprint cookie dough?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 14 minutes of cooking, plus 45 minutes to chill and rest. The recipe makes 24 cookies.

How should I store thumbprint cookie dough?

Store airtight at room temperature up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Can I make thumbprint cookie dough ahead?

The dough keeps 3 days in the fridge; bake fresh the day you need them.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (10 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Buttery, slightly nutty thumbprints with a deep well for jam, curd, caramel or ganache.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

163 Calories / serving

10.4g Fat

15.4g Carbs

2.5g Protein

5.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~3912 cal · 250g fat · 370g carbs · 60g protein · 137g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.