Vegan Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam (2024)

This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Jump to Recipe

Vegan Thumbprint Cookies - The combination of tart jam and a buttery-sweet crumb is pure bliss in every bite.

'Tis the season for everything festive and sweet! I'm up to my ears in cookies and I couldn't be happier! My go-to holiday cookies are these Jam-Filled Vegan Thumprint Cookies.

I give them out every year along with Hot Chocolate on a Stick and Cookies in a Jar. They bring tons of smiles and that's what matters.

This recipe was posted back in 2016 and I felt it needed fresh new photos and easy-to-follow instructions. The cookies are still amazingly delicious!

Table of Contents

How to make Vegan Thumbprint Cookies

(full instructions and notes in recipe card below)

First, whisk the flour and salt together and set aside.
Now add slightly softened vegan butter to the bowl of a Stand Mixer and beat until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until incorporated and scrape down sides as needed.
Add the vanilla and almond extract then mix until combined.
On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until dough starts to form. *Don't over mix.

Add almond milk and mix on low to combine.
Scoop the dough and roll it into smooth ball-shape. Place on your baking sheet about 1 ½ " apart.
Make the indentations by using the back of a ¼ teaspoon and press down gently about ½ way in.
Spoon jam into each well using a small spoon or you can pipe it in.
Now bake in the oven until barely lightly golden about 13-15 minutes. Baking too long will make them crispy. Carefully check the bottom of one cookie - it should be lightly golden.
Let cool on pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Tip: I found that the dough cracked less if I made the indentation right after rolling each ball, instead of rolling them all first. If you do see a few cracks, just gently smooth them out with you finger or just leave them be. Small cracks are completely normal and add character.

Do I need an electric mixer to make Thumbprint Cookies?

No, you can do it all by hand and the cookies will still be delicious. They might be a hair less fluffy, but it's not a notable difference.

Here's what you'll need to do:

STEP 1:You'll need to soften the butter enough that you can work with it by hand. However, you don't want it to be melty.

STEP 2:In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and together. Set aside.

Do I need to chill cookie dough?

That's the million dollar question! Most of the time, it's safest to do so. Especially, if the recipe calls for it. However, I rarely chill the dough for this recipe. I work fairly quickly and never feel that my dough is too soft.

I use a Marble Pastry Slab to keep it cool while I'm rolling the balls. If by chance the dough feels soft or sticky, I'll wrap it in cling wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes.

If the dough isn't rolling easily into a ball shape or holding its shape, then the dough is too soft and you should chill it.

Are you guys ready? Let's do this!

I'd love to hear from you

If you make these Vegan Thumbprint Cookies, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 129 votes

Vegan Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam

Vegan Thumbprint Cookies - The combination of tart jam and a buttery-sweet crumb is pure bliss in every bite.

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour *see notes for proper measuring
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
▢ ¾ cup vegan stick buter , slightly softened
▢ 2 tablespoons almond milk , or any plant-based milk
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
▢ ⅓ cup Homemade Raspberry Jam , or any jam
▢ *Optional: powdered sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).Line 1 extra large baking sheet (or 2 medium) with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together to combine well.
Add the softened vegan butter to the bowl of a Stand Mixer and fit with a paddle attachment (or use a medium/large stainless steel bowl with a Hand Mixer). Beat on mediumuntil creamy for 30 seconds.
Add the sugar and beat on medium until incorporated (about 30-60 seconds). Scrape down sides as needed. Now add the vanilla and almond extract and mix on medium until combined (about 30 seconds).
Turn to low speed and gradually add the flourand mix until just combinedand dough starts to form (about 30-60 seconds) *Don't over mix. Scrape down sides as needed.Now add the 2 tablespoons of almond milk and mix on low to combine.
Using a half-tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop the dough and roll into smooth balls. Then place them on your baking sheet about 1 ½ inches apart (try to keep the dough around the same measurement for even baking and prettier cookies).
Now, you can make the indentations by using the back of a ¼ teaspoon (or your index finger). Press down gently about ½ way in (not too far or the jam will come out the bottom). (*Some cracks are normal and you can gently smooth them with your fingers or leave them there)
Using a small spoon (or piping bag), fill each cookie with jam (don't overfill or it will spill out during baking).
Bake in the oven until barelylightly golden about 13-15 minutes(baking too long will make them crispy).Carefully check the bottom of a cookie - it should be lightly golden.Remove fromoven and let cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

For accurate results, don't scoop the flour with a measuring cup directly from the flour container. Instead, scoop the flour out of your container with a spoon and then into a measuring cup. Don't pack or tap the cup. After filling, lightly sweep a butter knife across the top to remove the excess flour. * Example photo below recipe card.
If your dough is too soft or sticky to work with, wrap it in cling wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes. The dough will soften again as you're rolling the balls. Make sure the dough balls are smooth to avoid cracking.
If your dough is dry or crumbly, you can add ½ teaspoon of non-dairy milk and gently work it in until just combined. Add more if needed.
Keep stored in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
I found that the dough cracked less if I made the indentation right after rolling each ball, instead of rolling them all first. If you do see a few cracks, just gently smooth them out with you finger or just leave them be.
If you don't have an electric mixer, check post above for instructions.
Makes approximately 40 cookies.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!