My Perfect Cherry Thumbprint Heart Cookies are a delightful treat that are sure to brighten your day! These cookies take the classic thumbprint cookie concept and add a unique heart-shaped twist, making them perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a sweet surprise for a loved one or just a delicious way to indulge yourself. Picture buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough filled with luscious cherry jam, all shaped into heartfelt designs that are as charming as they are delicious.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

When I first made these heart-shaped thumbprint cookies, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth. The sweet aroma of baked cookies filled the house, and the sight of vibrant red jam peeking through the golden dough brought a smile to my face. These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist are not only incredibly tasty but also incredibly easy to make—perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. Trust me, you’ll want to whip up a batch (or two) every chance you get!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With only about 20 minutes of prep and a total of around 32 minutes for baking, these cookies come together effortlessly.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of buttery base and sweet cherry jam results in a delightful flavor profile that will have everyone asking for more!
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their adorable heart-shaped design makes them a fun and impressive addition to any dessert tray.
Flexible Serving: Great for any occasion—be it a cozy evening with a book, a party treat, or a lovely gift to someone special.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable if you need gluten-free or vegan options, just check for the right substitutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup cherry jam: This sweet and tart jam is the star of the cookies. You can also use homemade cherry jam or any preferred fruit jam as a substitute.
150g whole cherries: Fresh cherries add a delightful burst of flavor. You can also use frozen cherries if fresh ones aren’t available; just thaw and drain them first.
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar: A bit of sweetness is needed to balance the tartness of the cherries. Adjust it to taste if you prefer less sweetness.
1 tsp lemon juice: This brightens up the cherry flavor. You can substitute it with lime juice if desired.
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature: Using room-temperature butter allows for better creaming with sugar, resulting in a light and airy cookie.
½ cup (60g) icing/powdered sugar: This gives the cookie a smooth texture and sweetness. You can substitute with granulated sugar if you don’t have icing sugar on hand.
1 egg yolk: This helps bind the ingredients together while adding richness. Make sure to use a large egg for best results.
½ tsp vanilla extract: This adds a warm, comforting flavor to the cookie. Opt for pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

How to Make Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

Prepare the Cherry Jam: Finely chop the cherries and combine them with ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring until the mixture thickens. Allow it to cool before using.

Preheat the Oven: As the jam cools, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. This setup prepares your baking space efficiently.

Cream the Butter: In a mixing bowl, cream ½ cup unsalted butter and ½ cup icing sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is key for a tender texture in your cookies.

Mix in Egg and Vanilla: Add 1 egg yolk and ½ tsp vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until well combined. The egg yolk adds richness, while the vanilla enhances the flavor.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in flour (not listed but assumed, usually around 1 cup all-purpose flour) and cornstarch (around 2 tbsp is typical) until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie.

Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 12 uniform balls and place them evenly on the lined baking tray. Use your fingers to create a heart shape in the center of each ball by pressing down with two joined fingerprints.

Fill with Cherry Jam: Spoon in the cooled cherry jam into each heart-shaped cavity until slightly overflowing. This will create that delightful fruit center everyone loves.

Bake the Cookies: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. You’ll want that perfectly baked texture!

Cool the Cookies: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool for around 15 minutes, or until they firm up. This is a perfect time to take in their delicious aroma!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your cookies fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you need longer storage, they can be refrigerated for about a week or frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, layer the cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between them. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to refresh their delightful texture and flavor.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your butter is at room temperature to achieve the best creaming results, leading to a fluffy texture.
Avoid overbaking; the cookies continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven.
If the dough seems too soft to shape, chill it for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls.
Feel free to experiment with different jams like raspberry or apricot for a fun twist!
Use two fingers to ensure the heart shape is pronounced and holds enough jam but is not too deep to break the cookie.

There’s something incredibly heartwarming about baking. These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist are perfect for creating cherished moments. Their sweetness, combined with the charming design, makes them a delightful treat that brings smiles all around. So, why not give them a try? You might just find a new favorite!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different types of jam?

Absolutely! While cherry jam is delicious, feel free to experiment with other fruit jams like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot. Each will bring a unique flavor to your cookies.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are typically ready when the edges turn a lovely golden brown, usually around 10-12 minutes. You can also gently touch the tops; if they feel set, they’re likely done.

Can I make these cookies in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before shaping.

Can I freeze the cookies after baking?

Definitely! Once baked and cooled, the cookies can be frozen. Just ensure they are placed in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months!

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Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Yield: 12 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist are a delightful treat, combining cherry jam and buttery goodness. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to make and sure to impress with their charming heart shape and irresistible flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

cherry jam
150g whole cherries
approx. 1 cup
50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
cookie
115g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
room temperature
60g (1/2 cup) icing/powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Finely chop the whole cherries.
Combine cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan.
Heat the mixture over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until it thickens, then let cool.
Preheat the oven to 175C/350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Cream the unsalted butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, then beat until well incorporated.
Mix in the flour and cornstarch, stirring until just combined.
Roll the dough into 12 balls and place them on the lined tray.
Create a heart shape in the center of each ball using two fingerprints pressed together at the bottom.
Fill the heart-shaped cavity with the cooled cherry jam.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden brown.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and cool for 15 minutes, or until firm.

Notes

Ensure the cookie dough is well mixed for a nice texture.
You can substitute cherry jam with any jam of your choice for different flavors.
Store cookies in an airtight container for freshness.