My Perfect Cherry Thumbprint Heart Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic thumbprint cookie, filled with sweet and tangy cherry jam and shaped into adorable hearts. These cookies boast a tender, buttery texture that crumbles perfectly in your mouth. Each bite reveals a luscious burst of flavor from the cherry center, making them an irresistible treat for cookie lovers everywhere. Whether you’re planning a lovely gathering or simply satisfying a sweet craving, these jam-filled wonders are perfect for any occasion.

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

I first stumbled upon this cookie recipe during a weekend bake-off with friends, and let me tell you—it was love at first bite! The process is incredibly straightforward, and anyone can whip these up with minimal fuss. Plus, who can resist those charming heart shapes? The Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist turn a classic favorite into an eye-catching dessert that will surely impress. So roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some delicious memories together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: You can whip these up in just about 20 minutes, plus short baking time.
Irresistible Flavor: Buttery cookies paired with a sweet cherry jam create a fantastic flavor explosion.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The heart shape adds a lovely, personal touch that’s perfect for sharing.
Flexible Serving: These cookies make a charming snack, a great dessert for parties, or a sweet breakfast treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Can easily be made gluten-free with appropriate flour substitutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cherry Jam: A sweet and fruity filling that brings the cookies to life. You can use store-bought cherry jam, or you can make your own for an extra-special touch.
150g Whole Cherries: About 1 cup of fresh cherries will work beautifully to create the luscious jam filling. You can also substitute frozen cherries if fresh ones aren’t available.
50g (1/4 cup) Granulated Sugar: This sweetener helps balance the tartness of the cherries. Feel free to adjust based on how sweet you like your filling.
1 tsp Lemon Juice: A touch of acidity that brightens the cherry flavor. Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled can be used in a pinch.
115g (1/2 cup) Unsalted Butter: Softened butter creates a rich, tender cookie. It’s essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
60g (1/2 cup) Icing/Powdered Sugar: Used in the cookie dough for sweetness and to create a nice texture that crumbles perfectly.
1 Egg Yolk: Adds moisture and richness to the dough, giving it an incredible flavor.
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall taste, making each bite more delightful.

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

Prepare Cherry Jam: Finely chop the 150g whole cherries and combine them with 50g granulated sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes syrupy. Let it cool completely before filling the cookies.

Preheat Oven: While the jam cools, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly without sticking.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 115g unsalted butter and 60g icing sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, resulting in a tender cookie.

Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in 1 egg yolk and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, beating until everything is well combined. The egg yolk adds richness while the vanilla brings a warming flavor.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and cornstarch (not specified, but typically about 1 cup total is used), stirring until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies light.

Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 12 balls and place them onto the lined tray. Now, here’s the fun part—using two fingers, press into the center of each dough ball to create a heart shape. This unique twist not only makes them adorable but gives space for the cherry jam filling.

Fill with Jam: Carefully spoon the cooled cherry jam into the heart-shaped wells. Make sure to reserve a bit of jam to top off after baking if the filling sinks.

Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Your kitchen will fill with an incredible aroma, which is a sure sign they’re ready!

Cool: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool for about 15 minutes or until they are firm enough to handle.

Storing & Reheating

Keep your thumbprint cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you need more time, refrigerate them for up to a week; just be sure to use a container that seals well to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze the cookies by arranging them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container after they are frozen. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes; this refreshes their texture and flavor.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your butter is at room temperature; too cold, and it won’t cream properly.
Don’t skip chilling the cherry jam! It helps prevent the filling from sinking into the cookie while baking.
If you find the dough too soft to handle, consider chilling it for 30 minutes before shaping.
Experiment with different jams for a variety of flavors; raspberry or apricot would be fabulous alternatives!
When shaping the heart, the deeper the indentation, the more jam can fit, but watch out for thin edges, which can burn.
For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top of the jam before baking—delicious!

These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist are a delightful recipe that evokes sweet memories and cozy baking moments. With their adorable shapes, they not only satisfy a sweet tooth but make a wonderful gift for loved ones or a centerpiece for your dessert table. Don’t hesitate to customize the jam filling or experiment with different shapes; the only limit is your imagination!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of jam?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute cherry jam with raspberry, apricot, or even strawberry jam. Each different flavor will provide a unique twist to this recipe.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading. Additionally, make sure you’re using the right flour measurements and not overmixing the dough.

Can I make these cookies in advance?

Yes! The dough can be made a day ahead and chilled in the refrigerator. You can also bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.

What’s the best way to thaw frozen cookies?

To thaw, simply transfer the cookies from the freezer to the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Enjoy them cold, or reheat them in a low oven to bring back their warmth and texture.

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Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist

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

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Description

Enjoy the irresistible flavors of Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies with a Heart-Shaped Twist. These cookies are made with cherry jam and have a delightful heart shape, making them a perfect homemade treat for any occasion. Simple to prepare and quick to bake, they’re sure to impress anyone looking for an easy dessert!

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

Notes

Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar according to taste.
For a different flavor, try using raspberry or strawberry jam instead of cherry.