Buttery Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (227 g)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar, 133 g
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (280 g)
- ½ cup jam, raspberry, strawberry or apricot (about 160 g)
Buttery Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg yolks, vanilla, almond extract (if using) and salt.
- Add the flour and mix on low speed until a soft dough comes together.
- Line two sheet pans with parchment. Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon balls and set them 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Press your thumb (or the back of a 1/2-teaspoon measure) into the center of each ball to make a deep well. Smooth any cracks at the edges with your fingers.
- Refrigerate the shaped cookies on their pans while the oven heats.
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake one pan until the cookies just begin to set.
- Take the pan out and gently press the wells again with the measuring spoon if they puffed up.
- Stir the jam until smooth, then spoon about 1/2 teaspoon into each well.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake until the bottoms are light golden and the jam is bubbling.
Buttery Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Cool on the pan 5 minutes, then move the cookies to a rack. Repeat with the second pan.