Thumbprint Buttery Shortbread Cookies (Printable)

Buttery shortbread with sweet jam centers, offering tender crumb and delightful flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large egg yolks
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Filling

07 - 1/2 cup fruit jam or preserves (raspberry, apricot, or strawberry)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until fully combined.
04 - Add the flour and salt, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
05 - Scoop and roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
06 - Using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
07 - Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of fruit jam.
08 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are just golden.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're impossibly buttery and tender, yet somehow not complicated to make.
  • The jam center means every cookie tastes like a tiny, edible hug.
  • You can swap jams based on mood or season, so they never feel repetitive.
02 -
  • Don't let your butter get too warm, or the dough becomes greasy and the cookies spread flat instead of holding their shape.
  • The jam will bubble and set as it cools, so cookies pulled straight from the oven that feel too soft will firm up perfectly once they cool.
  • If your jam is very thick, warm it slightly so it fills the indentations smoothly without cracking the dough.
03 -
  • Brown the butter for 5 minutes before letting it cool if you want a deeper, nuttier flavor that elevates the entire cookie.
  • A small cookie scoop ensures every ball is exactly the same size, which means perfectly even baking every single time.
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