These Heart Jam Cookies are thumbprint cookies with a lovey twist perfect for Valentine's Day! Fill these soft and buttery cookies with any jam you'd like, and your loved ones are sure to be impressed by the cuteness!
Into Valentine's treats? Give some love to these Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies for a love day twist on a classic soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie. This Red Velvet Bundt Cake is a soft and moist red velvet cake with a cream cheese glaze that is inherently festive. Check out these Chocolate Cake Truffles for an indulgent and super fun treat too!
Why You'll LOVE This Recipe
- soft, buttery cookie that pairs perfectly with the sweet jam of your choice
- easy, 7-ingredient recipe made in just 25 minutes
- fun to make with loved ones or young ones
- festive for celebrating Valentine's Day or to give as gifts
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter at room temperature creates a light cookie with the most gorgeous flavor. If you need to use salted butter, leave out the ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Granulated Sugar: Regular, plain granulated sugar creates moisture and sweetness!
- Egg Yolk: An egg yolk adds structure and creates a slightly chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract rounds out the flavor of the cookies.
- All Purpose Flour: Properly-measured all purpose flour creates the best texture.
- Salt: Salt enhances flavor and brings out sweetness.
- Jam: Use whatever flavor jam you'd like!
Step by Step Process
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure to cookies come off of the pan cleanly.
STEP 2: In a large bowl with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat room temperature butter and sugar together until smooth.
STEP 3:Then, add the room temperature egg yolk and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until combined.
STEP 4: Next, pour the properly-measured flour and salt into the dough and mix only until you see the dry ingredients disappear into the dough.
STEP 5: Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls before using your thumb to push down and create 2 diagonal indents for the heart shape. Then, fill the indent with your jam of choice.
STEP 6: Then, bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes or until the edges turn light golden brown, tops are slightly shiny but not wet, and the tops look light pale in color.
Frequently Asked Questions
You fill thumbprint cookies before you bake them!
No! These cookies do not need to be stored in the refrigerator even with the jam filling.
Store these cookies tightly covered, in an airtight container or bag, or individually wrapped at room temperature for up to 6 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Decorating Thumbprint Cookies
Though I love these cookies as is, you can totally spice them up with some simple decorations!
- Powdered Sugar: After baking and cooling, sift powdered sugar over the tops of the cookies.
- Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk together and drizzle it over the top after the cookies have cooled for a simple and smooth glaze topping!
- Nuts: You can add nuts inside of the dough, on top of the dough balls before baking, or into the jam after baking for an extra crunch!
Expert Tips
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg yolk are at room temperature to create a smooth, even dough.
Extracts: You can use different extracts in the dough if you'd like to spice up the flavor of the cookies. Almond extract, lemon extract, or strawberry extract could all add some fun!
Heart Shape: Press your thumb at a diagonal angle into the rolled dough ball. Then, overlap the first thumbprint with a second thumbprint at an opposite diagonal angle to create the heart shape.
Freezing: Place the cooled cookies on a sheet pan or plate in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, stack them in a bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Related Recipes
Print
Heart Thumbprint Jam Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies, Thumbprint Cookies, Jam
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Heart Jam Cookies are thumbprint cookies with a lovey twist perfect for Valentine’s Day! Fill these soft and buttery cookies with any jam you’d like, and your loved ones are sure to be impressed by the cuteness!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (165g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (105g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup (210g) all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (165g) jam of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure to cookies come off of the pan cleanly.
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat room temperature butter and sugar together until smooth.
- Add the room temperature egg yolk and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure the ingredients are combined throughout.
- Pour the properly-measured flour and salt into the dough and mix only until you see the dry ingredients disappear into the dough. Overmixing can lead to drier, tougher cookies.
- Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on your prepared cookie sheet at least 1 ½ inches apart to allow room for spreading when they bake.
- Use your thumb to push down and create 2 diagonal indents for the heart shape. Fill the indent with about ¼-1/2 teaspoon of the jam of your choice.
- Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes or until the edges turn light golden brown, tops are slightly shiny but not wet, and the tops look light pale in color. Allow the cookies to cool before storing tightly covered or in an airtight container.
Notes
Measuring Flour: Measure flour correctly by using a kitchen scale to measure 210g exactly. If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cups before using a knife to level off the top. Overmeasuring flour will lead to dry cookies.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg yolk are at room temperature to create a smooth, even dough. This results in a lighter cookie.
Storing: After the cookies have fully cooled, store them in an airtight container, tightly covered, or individually wrapped at room temperature for up to 6 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. To freeze, place the cooled cookies on a sheet pan or plate in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, stack them in a bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Keywords: Jam Cookies, Heart Cookies, Thumbprint Heart Cookies
Grandma C. says
Cookies were easy and fun to make. Delicious!! Thanks, Elise!!
★★★★★
Elise says
This makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!
Alexandria Olvera says
Made these with my 2 little girls and they were absolutely the best! Very simple recipe and super fun way to get kids into baking! They were a perfect sweet treat for Valentine’s Day and to share with neighbors! Love love love 💕
★★★★★
Elise says
Thank you, Alexandria! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!