These Thumbprints with Buttercream Frosting are the best cookies ever!
I know thumbprint cookies have been around forever. But almost every recipe you find online fills them with jam. Don’t get me wrong, jam is delightful. But they don’t hold a candle to this version from my Mom’s kitchen, which uses almond flavoring in both the cookie and the buttercream frosting. This double dose of almond, plus the richness of the butter, is simply a match made in heaven.
While this cookie is considered a Christmas cookie in our family, it would be great in the spring or served for a shower or tea with its pretty pastel pink and green swirl of frosting. Or heck, any time you’re in the mood for a rich buttery bite-sized treat.
Thumbprints with Buttercream Frosting
Tips and Tricks
When to Make the Indent – As I researched alternate toppings for these cookies, I made a mind-blowing discovery. Not everyone did what my family recipe specified. We baked the cookies for a few minutes and then stuck our thumb into the hot cookie dough. I always thought this was a tad crazy, but hey, they were so delicious, who messes with that? But this year, I decided not to scald my thumb and instead used a little ceramic measuring spoon to make the indentation. After consulting my Mom about this, she said she uses a little melonballer. Good to know!
The thumbprint recipe in my Land O Lakes Treasury of Country Recipes cookbook makes the indentation before the cookie goes in the oven. However, I wondered if the indentation puffed up in the baking process. Since I’d already baked my thumbprints for the season, I asked my mom to give one baking sheet a try. She said hers did puff up. I would love to hear about your results in the comments if you try this alternate method.
The Land O Lakes cookbook suggests this alternate preparation method – Dip the entire cookie (vs just the top) in the beaten egg whites and roll in finely chopped nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, or walnuts.) Place on a greased baking sheet. Make the thumbprint depression with a spoon and bake for 8 minutes. Then fill with desired topping and finish baking for another 6-10 minutes.
Topping Options lnclude:
- fruit preserves
- chocolate stars
- candied or Maraschino cherries
- caramels cut in half.
Colored Sugars – another option is to skip the egg white step and roll the dough in colored sugar or a combination of cinnamon and sugar. Then make an indentation and bake and fill as described in the Land O Lakes method above.
Cookies Galore
Here are some other cookie favorites. You can also search on cookies in my recipe index for additional tasty treats.
Thumbprints with Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
Thumbprint Cookies
- 2 c. butter, softened (4 sticks)
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 3 eggs seperated
- 2 tsp. almond extract
- 4 c. flour
- 1 tsp. table salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 3 c. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1/4 c. milk (more or less to get to frosting consistencty)
- red and green food coloring, if desired
Instructions
Thumbprint Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine butter and brown sugar until well mixed (I use a mixer, but you can also combine by hand.)
- Add egg yolks and almond flavoring and mix well.
- Add flour and salt and mix until the dough holds together.
- Beat egg whites until frothy. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and dip the top into the beaten egg whites. Bake on ungreased baking sheets for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and press a small measuring spoon or thumb (if you're living danderously) into the middle of the cookie. Return to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are light brown on the bottom. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Buttercream Frosting
- Mix all ingredients, adding milk gradually until you reach a creamy, spreadable texture. (I used a mixer.) If desired, divide the frosting into two bowls. Add a few drops of green to one and red to the other stir to combine. Spread frosting on cookies.
Can you freeze these cookies with the buttercream frosting?
Yes. They freeze well.
I made these alot in my early years of marriage..and then for some reason I stopped. But they so remind me of Christmas. I love them and thank you so much for posting them.
You are so welcome. They are everybody’s favorite Christmas cookie in my circles.