How to Make the Perfect Blackberry Beeswax Jam Thumbprint Cookies
American · Easy · 35 min · 20 servings
These tender butter cookies with a jammy blackberry center are the very soul of cottagecore baking, simple, handmade, and filled with the flavor of wild brambles. Each cookie is pressed with a thumb to create a little nest that holds a glistening pool of dark blackberry jam.
Why this recipe works
This Blackberry Beeswax Jam Thumbprint Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 125 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup blackberry jam or preserves
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract then gradually stir in the flour until a soft dough forms that holds together when pressed. Do not chill this dough as it is easier to shape when soft.
Step 2: Roll and Press
Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into smooth balls and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon to press a deep indent into the center of each ball without pressing all the way through.
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Spoon about half a teaspoon of blackberry jam into each indent, filling it nearly to the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 14 to 16 minutes until the cookies are set and the edges are just barely golden. The jam will bubble slightly which is perfectly normal.
Step 4: Cool and Dust
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once completely cool, dust generously with powdered sugar using a fine sieve for a beautiful snowy finish.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- blackberry jam → rose hip jam or strawberry preserves
- all-purpose flour → almond flour for a chewier gluten-free version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overfilling the thumbprint indent with jam which causes it to bubble over and burn on the baking sheet
- Dusting with powdered sugar while the cookies are still warm which causes the sugar to melt and disappear
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 125 calories, 1g protein, 16g carbs, 6g fat, 0g fiber.
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