Gram's classic Christmas thumbprint cookies

These thumbprint cookies are rolled in chopped walnuts and filled with your favorite jam or jelly for a traditional Christmas cookie that is sure to be a family favorite.

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Thumbprints are a classic holiday cookie and they are a popular Christmas cookie for Christmas for good reason. They are flavorful, colorful, and relatively easy to make. Plus they are versatile as you can change the color and flavor of the filling.

There are many kinds of thumbprint cookies with different cookie bases and different fillings (like these peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies). These cookies are how my family always made them - rolled in chopped walnuts and filled with a red jam or jelly. 

These walnut and jam thumbprint cookies are one that is requested each year, and is usually the first to disappear from its cookie tin.

This recipe came from my great-grandmother, handed down to us through my mother. I remember making and eating these cookies throughout my childhood. They definitely have a sentimental feel about them when I make them, when I place them out on a platter at Christmas, and when I eat them. 

When making thumbprint cookies, I like to use raspberry and/or strawberry jam to fill the thumbprint centers. I like the red color for Christmas. However, you can use other jams or jellies as well - blueberry, mixed berry, peach, currant, and others will all be delicious. 

A relative reminded me recently that my great-grandmother would sometimes fill the thumbprint holes with red or green frosting. She does have this written as an option on her recipe card. I had forgotten about that since my mom always made them with jam, and we always have as well.

Her recipe is sparse - no mention of how much nuts to use - they aren't even listed in the ingredients. In the instructions, it just says "roll in nuts" without mentioning what kind, how much, chopping, etc. We've always used chopped walnuts.

There is also no mention of separating the eggs. I guess when you make them every year for your adult life, it's pretty intuitive! 

I have modified my great-grandmother's recipe just a bit and I've also made it a little clearer over the years so that others can follow it. 

If you don't already make thumbprints for your holiday cookie tray, please add them. You wont be disappointed.

Yield: about 30 cookies

Author: Amy (Savory Moments)

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Gram's Classic Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are rolled in chopped walnuts and filled with your favorite jam or jelly for a traditional Christmas cookie that is sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/2 to 3 cups chopped walnuts
• your favorite jam or jelly

Instructions

1. Separate the eggs putting the two yolks into a large mixing bowl and the two whites into a small, shallow bowl. Use a fork to lightly beat the egg whites with a teaspoon of water. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In your mixing bowl with the yolks, add the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until lightened and fluffy. Stir in the flour and salt until combined.
4. Place the walnuts in a pie plate or large shallow dish.
5. Roll the dough into a ball 1 tablespoon at a time. Roll and coat in the egg whites and then roll and coat in the walnuts. Place on the baking sheet about 1-inch apart and repeat until all dough is used.
6. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and use your thumb to "print" a well into the center of each cookie. Fill the center with about a half teaspoon of your jam/jelly/preserves (I like to use a red one like strawberry and/or raspberry).
7. Bake for another 10-12 minutes, just until the cookies begin to turn golden.
8. Remove the cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

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I hope you give these thumbprint cookies a try! Let me know in the comments below.

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This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated in 2023 with new text and more to improve reader experience.

Check out these other favorite Christmas cookies: 

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cakes

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies 

Rosemary Shortbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Eggnog Snickerdoodles