Saturday, December 4, 2010

Thumbprint Cookies

Christmas time is in full swing and you know what that means??

COOKIES!

Obviously, Christmas brings joy in many ways, but one of my favorites is the fact that no one questions you (or judges) when you're making batches and batches of cookies.  And trust me, you're going to be seeing lots and lots of cookies round these parts over the next few weeks.

Sometimes I find it a little difficult getting into the jolly mood here in Texas... mostly because there are still days of 70 degree weather in the forecast, some of the trees are still green and you would have no idea that a visit from Santa is right around the corner other than the fact that now it's actually okay to have your lights up. Man I miss the east coast sometimes...

But that's all changed now that Mountain Man and I picked out a gorgeous tree at a local tree farm!


Just one of my favorite ornaments.. it was dated Evan 1989.
Pretty good for only being 4, if I do say so myself.

Now on to the cookies... I found this recipe while browsing the King Arthur Flour catalog. They are a ridiculously soft cookie, with a strong vanilla flavor- making a perfect showcase for the Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam that I received from Anna (from Blondie's Cakes & Things) during Steph's Jam Exchange this summer. Feel free to use any type of jam you have on hand though!


Thumbprint Cookies
King Arthur Catalog
Oven: 350 Bake Time: 12 minutes
2 1/2 - 5 dozen cookies depending on size

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
2 3/4 cup AP flour
1/2 cup jam (give or take)

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in egg.
Add flour and continue to stir until blended.
Using a tablespoon of dough for each cookie, roll dough into balls and place on baking sheet about an inch or two apart.
Use your finger to put an indentation in the center of each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 12 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and then add jam to thumbprint (you may need to use the back of teaspoon to make the well a little deeper before adding your jam)


Happy Baking!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

28 comments:

Carolyn said...

Beautiful! I do love the KAF website for all of their amazing recipes and products. The vanilla bourbon peach jam sounds spectacular and even better in these cookies.

Kristina @ spabettie said...

that jam sounds wonderful... and these cookies look perfect! I love thumbprint cookies!

that IS an impressive ornament for a 4 year old! :D

Rachel said...

Thumbprints are perfect cookies for showcasing such a unique jam.
I love your ornament. Any good Christmas tree has to have plenty of ornaments like that!

kitchenarian said...

I have never made thumbprint cookies and have always wanted to. They look delicious!

Pacheco Patty said...

One of my favorite cookies, thanks for sharing;) Let the cookie baking for Christmas begin, I like it!

Kristen said...

Thumbprints are just about the perfect cookie. Yours sound great.

Reeni said...

I love thumbprints! So scrumptious with the homemade jam!

Magic of Spice said...

These are always a favorite, the look delicious :)

Katie@Cozydelicious said...

I'm just about to get into cookie-baking mode. I'm going to have to add these ones to my to-do list. I love thimbprint cookies!

Sara said...

These are really sweet. I'm thinking I need a Sunday afternoon devoted to cookie making. 'Tis the season.

Annie said...

I love thimbprint cookies, they are so easy and delicious. I like to fill them with my home made apple butter. Great recipe!

~Lisa~ said...

Thats the holiday spirit even if its warm. Love the cookies!

Sprinkled with Flour said...

I love thumbprint cookies, but I've never made them myself. Yours look so yummy!

sara @ CaffeIna said...

Thumbprint cookies are a lot of fun! I really identify them with holidays and lazy, fun time in the kitchen. Great job! So do you think we can find a way for a cookie exchange via mail? I'm not coming to Texas for Xmas but I love your idea of a cookie swap.

Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having said...

I love your tree!
I also love that Christmas is cookie season. Thumbprints are next on my list of cookies to make. Yours sound great, as does that jam!

Jeannie said...

Hi! That is a very gorgeous tree indeed! Beautifully decorated! Love the look of your cookies too:) Thanks for dropping by my blog, cheers!

baking.serendipity said...

I love thumbprint cookies and yours look fantastic! It's warm and sunny here in Phoenix too and it never feels like Christmas until we get our tree up (and head home to the colder weather!)

BakingWithoutABox said...

Beautiful tree and such great little cookies! Understand how the weather impacts that holiday spirit. So tough to think Christmas in SoCal when I grew up with icy roads for the holidays in the South. That is the cutest little ornament!

MaryMoh said...

Beautiful decoration for the Christmas tree by a 4 year old....impressive...love it! :D Love the cookies, too. Wish I can have some.

Monet said...

I adore thumbprint cookies (especially when I can use my best friends homemade jam!) Yours turned out beautifully. I'm bummed that we can't do cookies before Christmas, but I'm excited for us to get together after! Thank you for sharing, love. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Indonesian In Turkey said...

hmm....Cookies..!!! I just love them and ur thumbprints cookies looks perfect! :)

Dimah said...

These look so pretty and yummy!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the kind comment!

Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels said...

Jam thumbprints are one of my favorite cookies during the holidays. I make them every year for Christmas. Yours look absolutely delicious and not to mention the jam sounds amazing!!!! :)

Georgia (The Comfort of Cooking) said...

Aww, what a lovely Christmas tree and cookies! I've never made thumbprints before, but there's no time like the present (yes, pun intended). Yours turned out beautiful, Evan. Happy holidays to you!

Aimee said...

I love, love, LOVE thumbprints! Definitely one of my favorite Christmas cookies. I do a different twist on them that I will be posting sometime in the next few weeks, but yours are beautiful!

Anna's Table said...

Thumbprint cookies are perfect for Christmas, you can add any colourful jam to make them pretty and festive.

Anna's Table said...

Thumbprints are so ideal as a Christmas cookie as you can add any colourful jam to make them festive. Yours look yummy.

scrambledhenfruit said...

Your Thumbprint cookies look so soft and delicious- perfect for showing off homemade jam. :)