27 Festive Ways to Make Thumbprint Cookies This Christmas

Recipe: Red Velvet Thumbprints

The jolly man in red would approve of these cheery cookies. Red velvet thumbprints couldn't ask for a better topping than this white chocolate-cream cheese mixture. 

Recipe: Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! These thumbprint cookies turn chocolate and peanut butter into little bites of holiday heaven. 

Recipe: Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

Drizzled with creamy white chocolate, these raspberry thumbprint cookies are always welcome on the Christmas party spread. The classic shortbread-like cookies are topped with fruity pockets of jam.

Recipe: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

These cookies have as much Christmas spirit as Buddy the Elf. Trade milk chocolate Hershey's kisses for these whimsical candy cane-inspired ones. 

Recipe: Stamped Thumbprints

Pretty as a Norman Rockwell picture, this take on traditional thumbprint cookies calls for simple stamping to make them look sophisticated and old-fashioned. 

Recipe: Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints

This rich chocolate ganache is just what Santa put on his list. Crushed peppermints make the crunchiest, cheeriest holiday topper. 

Recipe: Apple Butter-Walnut Thumbprints

Embrace a more fall-inspired flavor combination with these apple butter-and-caramel-topped cookies. 

Recipe: Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

This recipe gives classic gingerbread a tasty twist. With a chewy center and spiced white chocolate filling, these cookies will disappear mighty quick from Santa's plate. 

Recipe: Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche

Coconut and dulce de leche make a festive duo. Watch these thumbprints disappear. Fast. 

Recipe: Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt

Looking for a cookie swap winner? These chocolate thumbprints are topped with gooey caramel and flaky sea salt, making them anything but a basic butter cookie. 

Recipe: Apricot-Almond Thumbprints

Bright and cheery, these will give Santa's elves a run for their money. Almond-flavored thumbprints are delightfully finished with apricot preserves. 

Recipe: Crackle Kiss Cookies

Fudgy, crackled, and dressed up in powder sugar, these thumbprints are begging to be doled out as food gifts this holiday season. 

Recipe: Peppermint Kiss Thumbprint Cookies

Sealed with a (peppermint) kiss, these cute cookies are so festive they could turn Scrooge.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Thumbprint Cookies

Three layers of chocolate send a merry message. Give these peanut butter cup-topped cookies as food gifts this year. 

Recipe: Salted Caramel Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Serve up all the flavor of chocolate turtles, but in a chewy cookie form. Salted caramel adds a gooey, sweet-and-salty finish. 

Recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Give your holiday dessert table a citrus touch. A classic combination, lemon cookies and raspberry jam make quite the zingy duo.

Recipe: Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

These'll look both elegant and festive at your Christmas cookie swap. The irresistible flavor combination of cherry and chocolate gets topped with melted white chocolate. 

Recipe: Blackberry Thumbprints

Simple and classic, these jam thumbprint cookies are like spiced butter cookies with a Southern finish. 

Recipe: Peanut Butter Thumbprints with Salted Chocolate

Peanut butter and chocolate go together like Dasher and Dancer. Add some flaky sea salt, and you're set with a holly, jolly batch of cookies. 

Recipe: No-Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints

These no-bake thumbprint cookies strike the perfect sweet-and-salty balance. Creamy almond butter and crushed pretzels are complemented by a festive dollop of strawberry jam. 

Recipe: Triple Mint Cookies

Chocolate and mint just love getting together for the holidays. This thumbprint recipe feels Yuletide-ready with green frosting. 

Recipe: Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato Jam

Thumbprint cookies get a sweet-and-savory—and totally Southern—makeover. A dollop of tomato jam is just what the cornmeal-flavored cookies call for. 

Recipe: Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

If raspberry ganache is wrong, we don't want to be right. Add a pop of color to your Christmas party spread. 

Recipe: Snowman Thumbprint Cookies

Frosty, is that you? Give your thumbprints a little extra Christmas cheer by turning them into snowmen. 

Recipe: Mini Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

As if these chocolate thumbprint cookies aren't cute enough already, they've been shrunken down to a party-friendly bite size. 

Recipe: Ambrosia Macaroons

Ambrosia gets a modern makeover in these soft, chewy macaroons. Cherries—red or green—make festive buttons on top. 

Recipe: Chocolate Kiss Sprinkle Cookies

Rolled in Christmas sprinkles and topped with a chocolate kiss, these cookies are ready to feed hungry little elves.