Cherry Thumbprint Cookies (Heart Cookies)

Crumbly, melt-in-your mouth heart shaped thumbprint cookies filled with a fresh and fruity cherry jam. These are the perfect summertime cookie!

What are thumbprint cookies?

Thumbprint cookies are a classic cookie made from a simple sugar cookie dough and jam. The perfect shortbread cookies to accompany a cup of tea or coffee! The cookie base is made from butter, sugar, egg and flour, while the jam can range from strawberry to marmalade.

You can see my thumbprint cookie recipe as an upgraded thumbprint cookie! Instead of a classic sugar cookie base, the cookie base is a shortbread cookie. This gives the cookie a crumblier, melt-in-your mouth texture in comparison to sugar cookies which tend to be dry and bland.

As for the jam, nothing is better than a simple homemade jam. Of course you can use store bought jam cherry or strawberry jam if you don’t have the time to make your own, but this Jam is extremely simple and delicious. Store bought jam tends to have more sugar than actual fruit, causing them to be super sweet rather than fruit forward. To get that fresh and fruity flavour I highly recommend making your own jam to fill these.

Ingredients

Cherry Jam

• Whole cherries: Provide the base fruit flavor and texture for the jam.
• Sugar: Sweetens the jam and helps with the preservation and thickening process by drawing out moisture from the cherries.
• Lemon juice: Adds acidity to balance the sweetness and helps the jam set by activating the natural pectin in the cherries.

Cookie

• Unsalted butter: Adds richness, moisture, and flavor to the cookie dough. It also helps in creating a tender, crumbly texture.
• Icing/powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and a fine texture to the dough, helping create a melt-in-the-mouth consistency.
• Large Egg yolk: Adds richness, color, and contributes to the dough’s binding properties.

• Vanilla extract: Adds flavor and enhances the overall taste of the cookies. I love using pure vanilla extract, but you can use almond extract, too!
• Plain flour: Provides structure to the cookies by forming gluten, which helps the cookies hold their shape.
• Cornstarch: Contributes to a tender, crumbly texture by reducing the gluten formation and adding a slight crispness to the cookies.

How to make thumbprint cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 175C/350F
2. Cream butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy
3. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined

4. Mix in flour and cornstarch, stir until just combined
5. Roll into 12 balls and create a heart shape in the centre of each ball using two thumbprints joined at the bottom

6. Fill the thumbprint with cooled cherry jam
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown

Tips for creating the perfect thumbprint

These cookies are incredibly simple to make and are perfect when you are looking for a fun baking project or just need a simply pick-me-up. Also the heart shape makes them especially cute for an event like Valentine’s day. That being said there are still a couple of tips that can help you create the best cookies you can!

Make sure your jam is the right consistency

If your jam is too runny it can run out of the well that you created in the centre of each of the cookies, ruining the look of the cookie. If the jam is too wet it can also seep into the cookie and cause them to take on a softer, slightly mushy texture.

The jam should be firm enough that it doesn’t spread everywhere when you are filling the cookies. I recommend cooking the jam further than you would think to make sure it has thickened. Once the jam has cooled and firmed up you can add a splash of water to loosen it if too firm.

Roll the balls firmly between your palms until smooth

It is important to roll the balls until smooth before placing on your baking sheet and pressing thumbprints into them. Doing this helps the thumbprints to go on smoothly without too many cracks, creating the perfect heart shape!

Fix up the heart!

While two thumbprints do create a heart, they won’t be perfect and that’s totally ok. You can go in with a smaller finger and fix up the shape of the heart after you got the initial two thumbprints down.

Additional Tips for Thumbprint Cookies

Use the Handle of a Wooden Spoon for Uniform Indents

Instead of using your thumb, try pressing the dough with the back of a wooden spoon handle or a small measuring spoon to create consistent, perfectly round indentations. This method helps avoid uneven thumbprints and reduces the chance of dough cracking

Prevent Spreading by Chilling Dough

While Catherine mentions chilling dough to prevent stickiness, it’s worth emphasizing that chilling also helps retain the cookie shape during baking. Allow the dough to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes after shaping to ensure the cookies don’t spread too much

Enhance Flavors with Citrus Zest

To brighten the flavor of the cookie base, you can incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough. Adding 1-2 teaspoons of zest brings a fresh citrus aroma that pairs beautifully with fruity jams like raspberry or cherry

Chill Dough for Shape Perfection

For cookies that hold their heart shape beautifully, chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping. The cooler temperature keeps the dough firm during baking and enhances that buttery, crumbly texture Catherine loves to celebrate.

Add Custard Powder for Creaminess

A teaspoon or two of custard powder brings a creamy, dreamy vanilla note and softens the crumb. This small twist elevates the classic thumbprint cookie into something more luxurious and bakery-worthy.

Tea-Infused Butter

Steep Earl Grey, chamomile, or even green tea in your melted butter before mixing the dough. The subtle tea aroma adds a refined depth, making each bite feel elegant and unique.

Finish with Citrus Zest

After baking, sprinkle a delicate touch of lemon or orange zest over the cookies. This bright, fragrant finish creates a sophisticated balance with the sweet jam filling, perfect for afternoon tea.

Use Freckles or Drizzle Chocolate

Create playful visual appeal by pressing a chocolate freckle into the thumbprint after baking or drizzling a ribbon of melted chocolate over cooled cookies for an extra touch of indulgence.

Control the Bake for Texture

For soft, buttery centers, bake closer to 10 minutes. For slightly crisp edges, extend to 12 minutes. A careful bake is the difference between simply good cookies and exceptional ones.

Variations:

Chocolate or Nutella Thumbprints

For a decadent variation, fill the thumbprints with melted chocolate or Nutella instead of jam. You can also roll the cookie dough in finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds before baking to complement the chocolate filling

Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprints

Turn these cookies into a nostalgic peanut butter and jelly combo by substituting peanut butter for part of the butter in the dough, and using grape jelly or strawberry jam as the filling. This twist makes the cookies fun and kid-friendly, evoking a classic sandwich flavor

Cream Cheese-Filled Thumbprints

For a cheesecake-inspired thumbprint cookie, prepare a sweetened cream cheese filling. Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and fill the cookie indentations before baking. This filling adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the buttery cookie base

Nutella and Hazelnut

Fill the centers with Nutella and sprinkle finely chopped hazelnuts on top before baking. The rich chocolate-hazelnut combination is elegant yet nostalgic, perfect for family gatherings.

Custard Berry Thumbprints

Mix custard powder into the dough and fill with raspberry or apricot jam. The creamy undertones pair beautifully with tart, fruity notes, adding a gourmet flair.

Caramel Dream

Drop a soft caramel candy into the center before baking and drizzle with melted caramel afterward. This variation delivers a rich, gooey center that pairs beautifully with flaky sea salt.

Tea-Infused Elegance

Infuse the dough with steeped tea for a floral, aromatic profile. Earl Grey with blueberry jam or chamomile with apricot creates a refined and sophisticated twist.

Chocolate Freckle Charm

Replace jam with colorful chocolate freckles pressed gently into the dough before baking. This playful twist makes them ideal for kids’ parties or cheerful dessert platters.

Serving Suggestions:

Tea Pairing

These cookies are an excellent companion to herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint. The subtle flavors of the cookies won’t overpower the delicate notes in the tea, making for a relaxing afternoon treat

Cookie Sandwich

Take two cookies and sandwich them together with a thin layer of chocolate ganache, cream cheese, or extra jam in the middle. This doubles the indulgence, making for a richer dessert option that looks elegant on a cookie platter

Party Platter Addition

These thumbprint cookies can be arranged as part of a dessert platter with other small treats like mini macarons, chocolate truffles, or fruit tarts. Their colorful jam filling adds visual appeal, making them stand out on a festive table

Afternoon Tea Chic

Serve these cookies on delicate pastel plates with chamomile or mint tea. The bright flavors of the cookies complement a light, aromatic brew, perfect for a calming tea break.

Dessert Platter Dazzler

Pair thumbprint cookies with mini tarts, truffles, and macarons for an impressive dessert spread. Their pop of color and heart shapes bring balance and beauty to a party table.

Ice Cream Indulgence

Serve cookies slightly warm alongside a scoop of vanilla bean or strawberry ice cream. The creamy cold contrasts perfectly with the buttery, tender crumb.

Hot Drink Companion

Pair with hot cocoa, spiced chai, or a flat white. The melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them ideal for a cozy moment curled up with your favorite drink.

Gift Box Presentation

Arrange cookies in pastel boxes tied with ribbon. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just to brighten someone’s day with a homemade touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the Chill Step

Skipping dough chilling leads to excessive spreading during baking, losing that lovely heart shape and texture.

Overfilling the Indent

Filling too much jam or caramel will cause overflow and a messy bake. Stick to about half a teaspoon for a neat, controlled look.

Overmixing the Dough

Mix only until the dough comes together. Overmixing toughens the dough and takes away the delicate, crumbly texture.

Rushing the Cooling Time

Let cookies cool completely on the tray. Moving them too early risks breaking their delicate edges or smudging the filling.

Neglecting Garnishes

Skipping garnishes like zest, sea salt, or a drizzle of chocolate means missing out on added depth and a polished, bakery-style finish.

Cherry Thumbprint Cookies

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

Crumbly, melt-in-your mouth cookies filled with a fresh and fruity cherry jam. These are the perfect Summer time cookie!

• Author: Catherine Zhang
• Prep Time: 20
• Cook Time: 12
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x
• Category: Cookie
• Method: Easy
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Cherry Jam

• 150g Whole cherries, approx. 1 cup
• 50g (1/4 cup) Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Lemon juice

Cookie

• 115g (1/2 cup) Unsalted butter, room temperature
• 60g (1/2 cup) Icing/powdered sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 140g (3/4 cup 2 tbsp) All purpose flour
• 15g (2 tbsp) Cornstarch

 

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Instructions

Cherry Jam

1. Finely chop cherries
2. Combine cherries, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan
3. Heat over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the mixture has thickened
4. Cool

Cookie

1. Preheat the oven to 175C/350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper
2. Cream butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy
3. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract, beat until well combined
4. Mix in flour and cornstarch, stir until just combined
5. Roll into 12 balls and place them on the lined tray
6. Create a heart shape in the center of each ball using two fingerprints joined at the bottom
7. Fill the heart shaped cavity with cooled cherry jam
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown
9. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes, or until firm

Catherine Zhang

My name is Catherine, a food blogger and dessert lover. If I look familiar you may have seen me on NETFLIX's Zumbo’s Just Desserts S2! As an Australian-Chinese pastry chef and recipe developer I share recipes and tips on desserts inspired by amazing flavours, fresh produce and of course my Asian background.

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