15 Delicious Thumbprint Cookie Recipes for Baking on Any Occasion

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Maryann Desmond

You can never go wrong with a classic thumbprint cookie recipe. With so many delicious variations available, it’s easy to find one that suits your taste buds. These sweet treats are perfect for satisfying your cravings and can be made in no time, even if you’re a beginner baker. In fact, making thumbprints is a fun activity for kids, allowing them to get creative with their baking experience.

What’s more, these lovely cookies also make wonderful homemade gifts, adding a personal touch to any occasion.

Fruity Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Fruity Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Juicy flavors are perfectly balanced in these delightful treats, as the sweetness of cherries combines harmoniously with the richness of chocolate. The classic combination of these two ingredients creates a unique flavor experience that will leave you wanting more. This recipe yields a batch of adorable pink cookies, each one topped with a Hershey’s kiss, adding an extra touch of elegance to their appearance.

Soft-Baked Turtle Pecan Chocolate Drops

Soft-Baked Turtle Pecan Chocolate Drops

Avid bakers know the joy of sharing sweet treats with loved ones, and our turtle thumbprint cookies are sure to become a favorite among friends and family. These indulgent cookies combine soft, chewy chocolate bases with crunchy pecan toppings, perfectly complemented by gooey caramel centers and rich chocolate drizzles.

Thumbprint Lemon Delights

Thumbprint Lemon Delights

Fresh from the oven, lemon curd cookies are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Their simplicity is one of their best qualities, as they only require a handful of basic ingredients. Moreover, the addition of tangy lemon flavor and an airy texture makes them truly irresistible. With their versatility in presentation, whether it’s with a simple thumbprint or a more elaborate design, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Cherry Fudge Brownie Bites

Cherry Fudge Brownie Bites

Soft and indulgent treats that embody the essence of winter’s sweetness, these cherry fudge thumbprints are reminiscent of a rich, velvety brownie with a delightful tartness at its core. They’re an ideal choice for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or holiday baking, but their irresistible charm makes them just as suitable for any day you crave homemade cookies that pack a flavorful punch.

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Peppermint Chocolate Bite-Sized Cookie Delights

Peppermint Chocolate Bite-Sized Cookie Delights

Yesterday, I stumbled upon the most delightful recipe for Chocolate peppermint thumbprint cookies. These soft and chewy treats are made with refrigerated cookie dough and Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses, making them an incredibly easy-to-make sweet indulgence that’s ready in under 35 minutes.

Buttery Jam-Filled Shortbread Delights

Buttery Jam-Filled Shortbread Delights

Placing a delicious twist on the classic German buttery shortbread cookie recipe, thumbprint cookies are made by filling a simple rich dough with a dollop of jam. This delightful combination creates a unique mix of textures, as the soft and crumbly shortbread melts in your mouth, while the sweetness of the jam provides a pleasant contrast.

Gluten-Free Almond Chocolate Treats

Gluten-Free Almond Chocolate Treats

Boasting a delightful combination of flavors, these healthy chocolate thumbprint cookies feature a rich buttery almond taste, while being both gluten-free and grain-free, making them an ideal treat for those with dietary restrictions. In our household, the holiday season is synonymous with overindulging in delicious foods.

From Thanksgiving through to New Year’s, it seems like there is always some kind of celebration happening, which means plenty of opportunities to indulge in tasty treats like these thumbprint cookies.

Sweet Date Treats with Crunchy Nuts

Sweet Date Treats with Crunchy Nuts

Whether you’re a fan of traditional date nut cookies or looking for a new twist, these treats are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and become an annual favorite in your household. With their unique blend of sweetness and chewiness, paired with the rich flavor of dates, it’s no wonder they’re a staple at holiday gatherings. And, as a bonus, making them at home is a breeze!

Date thumbprint cookies offer another delicious variation that’s sure to be a hit, perfect for adding some extra flair to your cookie tray during the holidays.

Sweet Treats for Holiday Joy

Sweet Treats for Holiday Joy

Bringing joy to loved ones during the holiday season is always a wonderful idea, and what better way to do so than by baking some delicious treats? These chocolate thumbprint cookies are perfect for spreading cheer, filled with a sweet and creamy buttercream center that’s sure to put a smile on someone’s face. Plus, the festive sprinkles on top add an extra touch of holiday magic.

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Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints with Fudgy Centers

Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints with Fudgy Centers

Opening your senses to the rich flavors of these cherry chocolate blossom cookies is an experience you won’t want to miss. The combination of a fudgy cookie base, a whole maraschino cherry nestled in the center, and a drizzle of chocolate cherry ganache makes for a treat that’s perfect for any time of year. With their elegant appearance and decadent taste, these thumbprint cookies are ideal for serving at special occasions or just because you deserve a little indulgence.

Caramel Apple Fall Bites

Caramel Apple Fall Bites

Loaded with the flavors of autumn, caramel apple spice thumbprints are a cookie lover’s dream come true. Inspired by the classic combination of snickerdoodles and homemade caramel apples, these cookies are a perfect representation of fall in every bite. They’re filled with a rich homemade caramel and infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, making them an irresistible treat for anyone who tries one.

Almond Pecan Jam Thumbprints

Almond Pecan Jam Thumbprints

Generally speaking, thumbprint cookies are a popular holiday choice due to their simplicity and minimal ingredient list. They feature a soft, buttery, and chewy texture thanks to the use of almond flour, which is complemented by the crunch from chopped pecans. The cookies are also infused with flavors of vanilla and almond extracts, adding depth to their taste. To complete them, they’re filled with your favorite jam, providing a sweet contrast to the cookie’s richness.

Soft-Baked Jam Filled Thumbprints

Soft-Baked Jam Filled Thumbprints

Known for their irresistible charm and flavorsome combination of textures, these vegan thumbprint cookies are a delightful twist on traditional shortbread treats. They boast buttery, soft interiors and chewy blueberry or apricot jam centers, making them the perfect canvas for creative customization.

Whether you choose to change up the filling, glaze them with a sweet and sticky coating, or sprinkle them with festive toppings, these cookies are an excellent choice for holiday gatherings and parties.

Minty Chocolate Centers in Crumbly Bites

Minty Chocolate Centers in Crumbly Bites

Generally, people look forward to enjoying sweet treats during the holiday season. A classic combination of flavors is soft chocolate cookies with a delicious mint fudge center and topped with a drizzle of chocolate. These Chocolate Mint Fudge Thumbprint Cookies are an ideal choice for cookie trays, perfect for sharing with family and friends during this time of year.

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Hazelnut Raspberry Jam Filled Thumbprints

Hazelnut Raspberry Jam Filled Thumbprints

Victorious in the realm of sweet treats, raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies reign supreme. Their succulent dough, perfectly complemented by the luscious raspberry jam filling, creates an unbeatable combination that will leave you wanting more. Whether paired with a morning cup of coffee or a warm mug of hot chocolate, these classic thumbprint cookies infused with hazelnut essence are a must-try recipe for anyone in search of a delightful and effortlessly made treat.

Easy Vegan Oat Biscuits with Almond Pulp

Easy Vegan Oat Biscuits with Almond Pulp

Transforming leftover almond pulp into delicious treats is a game-changer for anyone who regularly makes their own almond milk at home. These thumbprint cookies are a great way to repurpose the pulp, resulting in a tasty and convenient snack that just so happens to be gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Made with oat flour and almond pulp, this recipe is perfect for those looking for a healthier alternative to traditional baked goods.

Soft Peanut Cookies with Jelly Filling

Soft Peanut Cookies with Jelly Filling

Joining the ranks of classic cookie flavors, peanut butter jam thumbprints are an innovative twist that will tantalize your taste buds. These tender treats combine creamy peanut butter cookies with crunchy salted peanuts and a luscious sweet jam filling. Feel free to experiment with various jelly flavors such as strawberry, grape, or raspberry to give them your personal touch. For an added layer of flavor, consider drizzling a simple peanut butter white chocolate glaze on top.

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Everyone who tries these cookies is blown away by the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The buttery almond and vanilla shortbread base provides a rich and crumbly foundation, while the sweet and tart raspberry jam filling adds a delightful contrast. To top it off, the glaze drizzle adds an extra layer of sweetness without overpowering the other ingredients.

Whether you’re looking for a new cookie recipe to try or want to impress your friends with a show-stopping dessert, these Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies are sure to be a hit.

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