Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See all Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See all Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See all Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See all Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Holidays & Occasions
  3. Christmas
  4. Christmas Recipes
  5. 19 Festive Ways to Make Thumbprint Cookies This Christmas

19 Festive Ways to Make Thumbprint Cookies This Christmas

By Southern Living Editors
Updated November 18, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Iain Bagwell

The Christmas season sees its share of bite-sized treats, from fudgy bourbon balls to crunchy nut brittle to spiced sugar cookies. There are too many occasions to count, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, that call for these holiday treats. Need something festive but simple? That’s when you can turn to our easy thumbprint cookies. To start, thumbprint cookies come in so many cheery forms. Some are tender and shortbread-like, filled with dollops of traditional raspberry jam. Others are chewy and chocolatey, topped with gooey caramel and flaky sea salt, even making use of Hershey's kisses and peppermint sprinkles. What’s more, Christmas thumbprint cookies are so festive they’re practically begging to be doled out as food gifts, bagged for the cookie swap, or served at the holiday party. Read on for the best thumbprint cookies to make this season.

Start Slideshow

1 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Red Velvet Thumbprints

Credit: Hector Sanchez

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.

1 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints

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

2 of 19

3 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

Credit: Iain Bagwell

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.

3 of 19

Advertisement

4 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints

Credit: Iain Bagwell

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.

4 of 19

5 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche

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

5 of 19

6 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt

Credit: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Kelly Allen

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.

6 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Apricot-Almond Thumbprints

Credit: Hector Sanchez

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.

7 of 19

8 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Credit: Southern Living

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.

8 of 19

9 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

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.

9 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Blackberry Thumbprints

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett; Food Styling: Rebecca Kracke Gordon

Recipe: Blackberry Thumbprints

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

10 of 19

11 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

No-Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints

Credit: Jen Causey

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.

11 of 19

12 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Triple Mint Cookies

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Triple Mint Cookies

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

12 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato Jam

Credit: Hector Sanchez

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.

13 of 19

14 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Ambrosia Macaroons

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Ambrosia Macaroons

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

14 of 19

15 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Quick PB&J Thumbprints

Credit: Heidi's Bridge

Recipe: Quick PB&J Thumbprints

If you’re looking for a lunchbox treat that isn’t totally unhealthy, this simple, five-ingredient recipe won’t put your kids into a sugar coma.

15 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Praline Filling

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Praline Filling

Making classic pralines from scratch can be difficult, but this sweet cookie recipe makes it easy.

16 of 19

17 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Benne Seed Thumbprint Cookies

Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Benne Seed Thumbprint Cookies

This elegant version of thumbprint cookies is elevated enough to serve at your Christmas dinner party but easy enough for the kids to help you bake.

17 of 19

18 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This classic confection is the ultimate Christmas cookie to make with your kids.

18 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cheesecake Cookies

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Cheesecake Cookies

This soft, vintage cookie recipe will add a fun visual pop to your dessert spread this Christmas.

19 of 19

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 19 Red Velvet Thumbprints
2 of 19 Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints
3 of 19 Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
4 of 19 Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints
5 of 19 Coconut Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche
6 of 19 Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt
7 of 19 Apricot-Almond Thumbprints
8 of 19 Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
9 of 19 Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints
10 of 19 Blackberry Thumbprints
11 of 19 No-Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints
12 of 19 Triple Mint Cookies
13 of 19 Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato Jam
14 of 19 Ambrosia Macaroons
15 of 19 Quick PB&J Thumbprints
16 of 19 Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Praline Filling
17 of 19 Benne Seed Thumbprint Cookies
18 of 19 Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
19 of 19 Cheesecake Cookies

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

19 Festive Ways to Make Thumbprint Cookies This Christmas
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.