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    Home » Recipes

    Iced Thumbprint Cookies

    Published: Dec 18, 2021 · Modified: Dec 18, 2021 by Lara ·

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These simple Iced Thumbprint Cookies are filled with homemade Royal Icing and topped with Christmas-themed sprinkles!

    Classic thumbprint cookies are an all-time favourite! These Iced Thumbprint Cookies are my festive take on these treats. The recipe is simple - the sugar cookie base is made using 6 basic ingredients. The cookies are then filled with homemade royal icing and can be decorated to your liking.

    christmas themed Iced Thumbprint Cookies

    These are a perfect holiday-themed treat for your guests during the festive season. They can be made ahead so there's no need to fuss over these on the day! You can also prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight.

    These cookies are filled with royal icing with meringue powder - so there's no need for raw eggs here! So if you're looking for a great treat to entertain your guests this holiday season, scroll on for the ingredients and recipe!

    This recipe can be easily adapted for any occasion or holiday. Simply add your preferred food coloring to the icing and top with your favourite sprinkles!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and Variations
    • How to Make Iced Thumbprint Cookies
    • How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
    • Tips for the Best Thumbprint Cookies
    • Other Cookie Recipes
    • Iced Thumbprint Cookies

    Ingredients and Variations

    The base of these cookies requires just 6 basic ingredients.

    Flour - The recipe calls for AP flour. For accuracy, I recommend the use of digital kitchen scales for weighing the flour.

    Butter - You'll need unsalted butter softened to room temperature.

    Sugar - Use caster sugar or granulated sugar.

    Egg Yolk - Make sure to use room temperature eggs.

    Vanilla Extract - Use good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.

    Salt - To balance the sweetness.

    For the Royal Icing filling, you will need powdered sugar, meringue powder, and room temperature water. You can decorate these cookies with your favourite sprinkles.

    ingredients for thumbprint cookies with icing

    How to Make Iced Thumbprint Cookies

    1. Make the Cookie Dough
      Sift and mix flour and salt and set aside.

      Place butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until the mixture is pale and fluffy.

      Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

      Add the dry ingredients and mix until cookie dough is formed. The dough may take some time to come together and may appear crumbly at first.
    2. Form Dough
      Scoop the cookie dough into 12 parts (each weighing around 25-28g) and roll each of these into a ball.

      Place each ball on parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
    3. Shape and Bake
      Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

      Bring cookies out of the fridge and place each cookie on the baking sheet, leaving a 2-inch space between each one.

      Use your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon (such as a measuring teaspoon) to indent each cookie ball at the center.

      Bake for 11-14 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
    4. Cool, Fill and Decorate
      Once out of the oven, the cookies will be very soft. Cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

      To make the royal icing filling, place powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of water and mix well for 1-2 minutes (you can use a handheld whisk for this step).

      Spoon royal icing into each thumbprint space, filling all the way to the top. Allow to set for 3-4 minutes, then add your favourite sprinkles (if using).

      Allow the icing to set for 20-30 minutes until it hardens and serve!

    How to Store Thumbprint Cookies

    Store thumbprint cookies with icing in an airtight container at room temperature. The cookies will keep well for 3-4 days.

    You can also freeze these cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw the cookies overnight before serving.

    thumbprint cookies with icing

    Tips for the Best Thumbprint Cookies

    • Use a digital weighing scale to accurately measure your ingredients.
    • To prevent the dough from spreading, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking these cookies! The dough can also be made ahead and chilled overnight.
    • Use room temperature ingredients (butter, egg yolk, and flour) - this will prevent the batter from curdling.
    • If you're making these cookies in two (or more) batches, make sure to let the baking sheet cool down completely before placing and baking the next batch. This will prevent the cookies from spreading.
    iced thumbprint cookies

    Other Cookie Recipes

    Matcha Neapolitan Cookies

    Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

    Italian Butter Cookies

    Iced Thumbprint Cookies

    Lara
    These simple Iced Thumbprint Cookies are filled with homemade Royal Icing and topped with Christmas-themed sprinkles!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Chill Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12

    Ingredients
      

    Thumbprint Cookies

    • 125 g all-purpose flour (1 cup)
    • ¼ tsp. salt
    • 112 g unsalted butter softened (½ cup)
    • 70 g granulated sugar or caster sugar (⅓ cup)
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1 egg yolk

    Royal Icing Filling

    • 80 g powdered sugar (⅔ cup)
    • 2 tsp. meringue powder
    • 2 tbsp. water room temperature
    • 2 tbsp. sprinkles optional

    Instructions
     

    • Sift and mix flour and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
    • Place butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until mixture is pale and fluffy. Use a spatula to scrape any ingredients from the side of the bowl.
    • Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add dry ingredients and mix until cookie dough is formed.
    • Divide cookie dough into 12 parts. Rolls each cookie dough into a ball. Transfer to a plate with parchment paper and chill dough for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
    • Preheat oven to 175°C (350F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Place each cookie ball on the baking sheet, leaving a 2-inch space between each one. Use your thumb or the round back of a measuring spoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie ball.
    • Bake for 11-14 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Cookies will be very soft when out of the oven.
    • Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • To make the royal icing: Place powdered sugar and meringue powder in a medium sized bowl. Stir in 2 tbsp. of room temperature water and mix for 1-2 minutes (you can use a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment for this step).
    • Spoon icing into each thumbprint cookie, filling all the way to the top. Leave to set for 3-4 minutes, then top with your favourite sprinkles. Leave cookies to set for 20-30 minutes before serving.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kimmy

      January 24, 2022 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      These look delicious and so festive! I just have one question: I understand that royal icing dries to be quite hard. How does that work after these cookies have set for a day? Does the filling get hard or stay more fluid like it shows in your photo? Im dying to make these but I have sensitive teeth and I cant take cracking through a hunk of hard royal icing lol

      Reply
      • Lara

        January 26, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        Thanks for your comment Kimmy!
        The icing will harden slightly as it sets but I would say it's more semi-solid than hard (as long as you store the cookies at room temperature, the icing doesn't harden to the point of breaking your teeth - I know what you mean!). However, I would still be careful since very sweet foods (such as this royal icing) may still be a problem with sensitive teeth 🙁

        Reply

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