If I could choose a cookie to represent my childhood, these Jam Cookies would be it. They are, hands down, my favorite cookie. And although my Mom never actually made these, my grandma and every auntie for miles around did. I recently came across this recipe in a family cookbook that my Mom's side of the family compiled over 30 years ago.
This recipe is my Great Aunt Myrlene's recipe and one bite of these Raspberry Jam Cookies transported me right back to being a kid again. They are popular at Christmas, but wonderful any time of year!
Jump to:
My Mom didn't actually bake many cookies, so when she did, it was a real treat. Her Peanut Butter Cookies are what I remember her baking and still crave today. Fortunately my Grandma and all the aunties on my Mom's side of the family were big bakers and made lots of different kinds of cookies. I can recall eating many renditions of these jam filled cookies at various family gatherings over the years, with this version being THE BEST version I have ever tasted!
🥘 Ingredients
I can honestly say these cookies are THE BEST raspberry jam cookies I have ever eaten because they are the only recipe I've ever come across that uses brown sugar instead of white granulated sugar. And wow - what a difference it makes! That brown sugar gives this cookie an incredible depth of flavor; unlike any other jam cookie!
For this recipe, you'll need:
- unsalted butter
- brown sugar
- egg
- salt
- cream of tartar
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- seedless raspberry jam
- powdered sugar/icing sugar (optional)
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Jam: These raspberry thumbprint cookies not only make a great holiday cookie, they are fantastic anytime! You can use strawberry, raspberry jam or your favorite jam, store-bought or homemade jam or jelly when making these cookies, but I prefer to use raspberry jam. Raspberry jam is a little more tart and pairs well with the sweet base of these cookies. And seedless raspberry jam is the best type of raspberry jam to use because you don't have to deal with seeds, giving you the ultimate cookie eating experience! You could also use another type of berry jam, like Saskatoon berry! I sprinkle a little powdered sugar on them for aesthetics, but it's purely optional.
- Cream of tartar: This classic jam cookie recipe also calls for cream of tartar, but if you don't have any in your pantry, don't worry. Here are some simple substitutions for Cream of Tartar. However, if you can get your hands on cream of tartar, I do recommend following this recipe exactly as written.
- Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter, go ahead and use it, but skip the salt in the recipe!
These classic thumbprint cookies are fun to make with your kids because they are very simple and simple cookies are ideal for teaching kids how to bake. My daughter and I made these together and it was a lot of fun! And this 4 Ingredient Whipped Shortbread is another basic cookie recipe that's great for making with kids.
💭 Top Tips
How to minimize thumbprint cookie cracking:
Jam Thumbprint Cookies tend to crack, so after making these 3 times (yes 3 times !) until they were PERFECT, I learned a few things:
- Keep the dough soft. Once the cookie dough is made, cover and let it rest for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, so that the dough will be easier to handle and less sticky.
- Use the back of wooden spoon dipped in powdered sugar (or icing sugar, as we like to call it in Canada) to make an imprint. You can use your thumb but I found this much more effective for getting a uniform print.
- Then spin it around a little to make it wider (pressing outwards from the center).
- And be sure you don't press down to the very bottom of the cookie or it will be too thin .
- Do NOT heat your jam before adding it to the cookies.
🍽Equipment
You'll need an electric mixer, (affiliate link), a wooden spoon and cookie sheets to make these cookies with jelly in the middle.
👪 Serving Size
This jam cookie recipe makes 36 cookies. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storing
Refrigeration: You can store these raspberry thumbprint cookies in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: These cookies with jam freeze well. It's been to freeze them in a single layer. However, if you stack them, be sure to add parchment paper between the layers to avoid sticking.
These Jam Cookies make an excellent cookie exchange item and the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray!
ENJOY~
And if you LOVE thumbprint cookies, then give my Butter tart Thumbprint Cookies a try. I actually spent years perfecting this cookie because I love butter tarts that much!
⭐ Reviews
Did you make this thumbprint cookie recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
📋 Raspberry Jam Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup seedless raspberry jam * can substitute strawberry jam
Garnish (optional)
- powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F/218 degrees C . *Do NOT spray baking sheet
- In a large bowl, with an electric hand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth.
- Add egg and beat until blended.
- Sift dry ingredients together, then add flour mixture to creamed butter mixture.
- * I recommend you let the dough sit for 15 minutes before rolling into balls (it helps to prevent cracking)
- Form into 1-inch balls. Space balls of dough at least 1-2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Press indent into ball with the end of a wooden spoon (dipped in powdered sugar.) Be sure not to push too far down or the bottoms of the cookie will be too thin. You could also use the back of melon baller, spoon or your finger or thumb.
- Add jam filling to centre of cookies to the top, but don't overfill.
- Bake cookies for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to continue cooling. Enjoy!
Garnish
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
- Freezing: These freeze well. If you stack them, be sure to add parchment paper between the layers to avoid sticking.
Ayngelina
This reminds me of baking with my grandmother, we would always make jam cookies and pies together.
Terri Gilson
I'm glad it evoked a fond memory for you, Ayngelina!
Colleen
Thumbprint cookies were a childhood favourite in our family as well. Usually at Christmas. I love the classic raspberry jam filling.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen! Yes, I love them at Christmas or anytime!
Jessica
One of my childhood favourites as well! My grandma used to make these at Christmas as a part of a huge cookie spread, so delicious!
Terri Gilson
I really want these old-fashioned recipes to carry on through the generations!
Vanessa
My Mom would make cookies like this at Christmas when I was a kid. They are so good!
Terri Gilson
I agree, Vanessa!
Jo Vanderwolf
Love the classics! The addition of brown sugar is genius. I'll have to give it a try 🙂
Cynthia at Cynful Kitchen
This looks easy to make! I will have to save it to Pinterest to bake with my almost 4 years old. He loves to bake with me.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Cynthia - enjoy!They are fun to bake with kids !
Kelly Neil
Oh my goodness yum! I imagine the brown sugar makes them taste like a Scottish shortbread. I've never made jam cookies and this would be a perfect recipe to bake with my three year old! Thank you!
Terri Gilson
It really does, Kelly! They are soo yummy and fun to make with kids!
Julia
Can't beat a good thumbprint cookie and these look amazing!
babe
I have a dairy allergy. What can I use
Terri Gilson
Hi, I would suggest you try using vegan margarine (Becel) in place of the butter. Personally, I have never tried it, but I think it would work in this recipe. You could use 1/4 tsp of butter extract to mimic the butter flavor (it's vegan).
I'd love to know how it turns out!
Terri