I still remember the first time I made these with a jar of cherry jam sitting on the counter. I wanted to turn a simple buttery cookie dough into something a little more special, so I added a touch of almond extract and pressed a small well into the center of each cookie. Once the cherry jam went in, the cookies looked like they belonged on a holiday cookie tray.

These cookies have a tender, buttery texture with a subtle almond flavor and a sweet cherry center. They’re easy to make for an afternoon treat, and the pretty jam-filled centers make them a lovely addition to a cookie platter. If you’re baking a variety of cookies, you might also enjoy my Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies and Lemon Curd Cookies .

Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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These Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies combine a tender almond-scented cookie with a sweet cherry jam center. The dough comes together with simple ingredients, making these an easy choice when you want a small batch of homemade cookies.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Chill Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time 52 minutes mins

Servings: 18 Cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 115

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Ingredients

  

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• 114 g butter softened
• 60 g powdered sugar
• ¾ tsp vanilla extract
• ⅜ tsp almond extract
• 159 g all-purpose flour maida
• 15 g cornflour
• 3 pinches salt
• 6 tsp cherry jam

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring spoons
• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Small spoon or measuring spoon

Method

 

1. Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl.
   
2. Add the powdered sugar and beat with an electric hand mixer until light and creamy.
   
3. Add the vanilla extract and almond extract, then mix until well incorporated.
   
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, cornflour, and a pinch of salt.
   
5. Mix gently with a spatula until a soft cookie dough forms. Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes.
   
6. Take small portions of the dough and shape them into smooth balls and Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking tray.
7. Gently press the center of each dough ball with your finger or a small spoon to create an indentation.
   
8. Fill each indentation with a small amount of cherry jam.
   
9. Bake until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges and set.
10. Let the cookies cool completely, then serve and enjoy.
    

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSodium: 45mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 6g

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There is something especially nice about pulling a tray of thumbprint cookies from the oven and seeing that little pool of cherry jam in the center of each one. The almond extract gives the buttery dough a subtle twist, while the jam adds a pop of color and sweetness. This is a recipe worth keeping in your cookie collection because it uses a short ingredient list, makes a lovely presentation, and is easy to bring back whenever you’re ready for another batch.

Vamsi

I’ve always found joy in the kitchen. Since I was seven, cooking has been my favorite way to learn, create, and unwind. From baking sweet treats to exploring global flavors and brewing coffee, I’m always chasing my next delicious discovery.