Heart Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Easy for Holidays & Special Occasions

As a kid, I loved helping in the kitchen, especially when making sweet treats that everyone could enjoy. Heart thumbprint cookies quickly became a family favorite—they’re buttery, jam-filled, and perfect for sharing. This heart thumbprint cookies recipe is quick, easy, and family-friendly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions. With customizable fillings and a simple method, these heart thumbprint cookies bring comfort, flavor, and joy to every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s both simple and impressive, heart thumbprint cookies are the perfect choice. This heart thumbprint cookies recipe combines buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a sweet jam center, making every bite a little moment of joy. These heart thumbprint cookies are quick, easy, and family-friendly, perfect for busy weeknights, special occasions, or holiday gatherings. You can customize them with raspberry, strawberry, or your favorite jam to suit any taste.

One of the best things about this heart thumbprint cookies recipe is how versatile it is. Kids can help press the dough and add the jam, turning baking into a fun family activity. The cookies store well in an airtight container, making them a convenient option for make-ahead treats. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just because, these heart thumbprint cookies offer comfort, flavor, and a visually charming touch that everyone will love.

This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants easy, delicious, and customizable thumbprint heart cookies without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for This Recipe

The ingredients for heart thumbprint cookies are simple, pantry-friendly, and easy to customize. The base of these heart thumbprint cookies is a soft, buttery cookie dough made with unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of salt. This combination creates a tender, flavorful cookie that melts in your mouth. The egg binds the dough while the all-purpose flour gives it structure, ensuring each heart thumbprint cookie holds its shape during baking.

The star of the recipe is the jam filling, which adds a sweet and fruity center. Raspberry or strawberry jam works beautifully, but you can experiment with apricot, cherry, or even a mixed berry jam to create unique heart thumbprint cookies. Optional decorations like a light dusting of powdered sugar or a heart-shaped cookie stamp make these cookies extra charming, perfect for gifting or serving at parties. With these ingredients, you can easily make soft, delicious, and visually appealing heart thumbprint cookies that everyone will love.

🛒 Ingredients (for ~24 cookies):

For the Cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:
1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam (or any jam of your choice)

Optional Decoration:
Powdered sugar for dusting
Heart-shaped cookie stamp (for perfect hearts)

How to Make This Recipe

Making heart thumbprint cookies is easier than it looks, and the process brings out the best flavors from each ingredient. These heart thumbprint cookies start with a soft, buttery dough made from butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, and flour. Each step is designed to create tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a perfect jam-filled center. Using a heart-shaped cookie stamp or your thumb, you create the indentation that holds the sweet jam, turning each cookie into a delightful treat.

The jam filling not only adds sweetness but also makes these heart thumbprint cookies visually appealing and customizable. Raspberry or strawberry jam is classic, but feel free to experiment with apricot, cherry, or mixed berry jams for a unique twist. Baking at the right temperature ensures the cookies remain soft yet hold their shape. Dusting with powdered sugar or adding a drizzle of chocolate gives a finishing touch that elevates these heart thumbprint cookies for special occasions or everyday enjoyment.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup unsalted butter and 2/3 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 large egg until fully combined.

Step 4: Gradually add 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to form a soft dough.

Step 5: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Press a thumb or heart-shaped cookie stamp into the center of each ball to create an indentation.

Step 7: Fill each indentation with 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam, or your preferred jam.

Step 8: Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.

Step 9: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate to enhance these heart thumbprint cookies.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect heart thumbprint cookies requires a few simple tricks to bring out the best in the ingredients and ensure each cookie turns out soft, flavorful, and visually appealing. Start with room-temperature butter for the cookie dough, as it blends more evenly with sugar, giving your heart thumbprint cookies a tender texture. Using a heart-shaped cookie stamp or gently pressing with your thumb ensures a uniform indentation for the jam filling, which is the signature of these cookies.

The type of jam you choose can elevate the flavor of your heart thumbprint cookies. Raspberry and strawberry jams are classics, but apricot, cherry, or mixed berry jams work beautifully as well. For perfectly baked heart thumbprint cookies, watch the edges carefully—they should be lightly golden while the centers remain soft. Dusting with powdered sugar or adding a chocolate drizzle enhances both taste and presentation, making these heart thumbprint cookies ideal for family gatherings, special occasions, or gifting.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Use room-temperature butter to make a soft, smooth dough for heart thumbprint cookies
• Chill dough slightly for easier handling and shaping of heart thumbprint cookies
• Use a heart-shaped cookie stamp or thumb press for consistent jam indentations
• Experiment with different jams like raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or cherry
• Bake until edges are lightly golden to keep heart thumbprint cookies soft in the center
• Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate for an elegant finish
• Store heart thumbprint cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness
• Make ahead and freeze dough for quick, on-demand heart thumbprint cookies

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Heart thumbprint cookies are a delightful, easy-to-make treat that combines soft, buttery cookies with a sweet jam center. This heart thumbprint cookies recipe is perfect for family baking, special occasions, or gifting, and it’s quick, customizable, and beginner-friendly. With options like raspberry, strawberry, or mixed berry jam, you can create unique heart thumbprint cookies every time. Whether you’re making them for holidays, weeknight treats, or a fun baking project, these heart thumbprint cookies bring comfort, flavor, and charm to every bite.

Heart Thumbprint Cookies

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~35 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft, buttery cookies shaped like hearts with a sweet jam center. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, or a fun baking activity with kids. These cookies can be made with raspberry, strawberry, or your favorite jam, and are simple enough for beginners yet impressive for gift-giving.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for ~24 cookies):

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam (or any jam of your choice)

Optional Decoration:

• Powdered sugar for dusting

• Heart-shaped cookie stamp (for perfect hearts)

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Dough

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

• Beat in vanilla and egg until well combined.

• Gradually mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Shape Cookies

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls.

• Place balls on the prepared baking sheet.

• Press a thumb or heart-shaped cookie stamp into the center of each ball to create an indentation for the jam.

Step 3: Fill with Jam

• Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of jam into the indentation of each cookie.

Step 4: Bake

• Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

• Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Optional Decoration

• Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for a festive touch.

Notes

• Perfect Hearts: Use a heart thumbprint cookie stamp for uniform shapes.
• Jam Variations: Mix and match flavors like apricot, cherry, or mixed berry for variety.
• Make Ahead: Cookies keep well in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Cookie
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American