These Vegan Thumbprint Cookies are insanely addictive and perfect for the holiday season. With a buttery shortbread cookie base, a sweet raspberry filling and a drizzle of almond flavored glaze, just try to stop at one!
These little cookies are the most delicious holiday treat, and they must be made at least once every year! They are so vibrant, thanks to the raspberry center, and have that perfect shortbread cookie crunch in every bite.
Made with very few ingredients, this is about as simple as a cookie recipe gets. I adapted these raspberry almond thumbprints from my vegan shortbread cookies, by adding a little almond extract, making an indentation and filling with raspberry jam.
The icing drizzle is completely optional, but it makes them fancy without much effort. Everyone will adore them! I have a similar recipe for lemon shortbread cookies made with lemon curd that are perfect in the spring or summer.
If you love raspberry flavored desserts, you should check out this simple recipe for Vegan Raspberry Bars, one of my personal all time favorites.
How to make vegan thumbprint cookies
(This is simply an overview with photos, scroll down to find the complete, printable recipe.)
- In a large bowl, stir the flour and powdered sugar together. Add the softened vegan butter and almond extract and beat with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until well combined. It may look crumbly, especially if your butter was too cold. Use your hands to mush it all together if necessary, the warmth will help the dough come together.
- Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Make an indentation with your thumb or forefinger in the center of each ball. You can also flatten the balls first a bit for a flatter cookie. Either way is just fine.
- Fill with about a teaspoon of jam, enough to fill the hole.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes, then bake in the oven for 15-16 minutes. Freezing first helps the cookies not spread while baking, so i don’t recommend skipping it. The cookies won’t look done and they will be very light in color still, not brown at all. They firm up a ton as they cool, so don’t over bake and burn them.
Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once cool, drizzle with easy icing.
Tips for success
- Use vegan butter that is softened, but not at all melted. If it’s too cold, the dough will have a hard time coming together, but if it’s melted, your cookies will spread in the oven. Just softened is what you want.
- Measure your flour correctly, by using the spoon and level method. Spoon flour into a measuring cup, don’t shake it down or pat it, then level off the top with a knife.
- Use seedless jam – Unless you don’t mind seeds. You can also use a variety of jams or fillings, such as apricot, strawberry, blueberry or even vegan caramel or ganache.
How to store
Store leftover cookies in a covered container at room temperature for 5-6 days. Or freeze them for longer, they are wonderful straight out of the freezer.
More vegan Christmas cookies you’ll love
- Vegan Snowball Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
- Vegan Ginger Cookies
Raspberry Almond Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Thumbprint Cookies
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 cups vegan butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- *if butter is unsalted, add a tiny pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
Simple Almond Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2-3 teaspoons water, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir the flour and powdered sugar together. Now add the softened butter and almond extract and mix with a hand mixer on low-medium speed until combined. The dough will look crumbly and soft but should smush together when squeezed in your hands. If it looks really crumbly, that means your butter was too cold. Use your hands to mush the dough together, the warmth from your hands will help it come together.
- Shape the dough into 1 inch balls, about a tablespoon each, and place on baking sheets.Â
- Make a small indentation with your thumb or finger in the center of each cookie, then fill with about a teaspoon of jam. For flatter cookies, flatten the balls a bit first, then make the indentation.
- Place the baking sheet with the cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking, then place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-16 minutes. This helps the cookies bake perfectly and not spread or flatten. The cookies will still be light in color and appear a bit underdone when you take them out of the oven, but they firm up as they cool.
- Let cool for a few minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the glaze: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth, adding water as needed to thin the icing. You want it to be pretty thick and not too thin. Add the glaze to a small bag, cut a small tip from a corner and drizzle over the cooled cookies. Let them set, then store cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
- Gluten free - Use a gluten free flour mix. I haven't tried this myself, but it usually works quite well.
- Different flavor - Feel free to use a different jam in the center, if desired, such as apricot, strawberry, cherry, blueberry or omit the almond extract and fill with vegan caramel or ganache.
- Butter - I used Country Crock brand, but have used Earth Balance as well. Any brand of vegan butter should work well. If you happen to get the unsalted sticks, add a tiny pinch of salt to the dough.Â
Can you freeze these cookies after you bake them- adding the glaze after they defrost?
Yes, these cookies freeze very well!
Can I replace some or all of the butter with oil?
Hi Maggie. I haven’t tried swapping the butter for coconut oil, so I’m not sure if it would work or not. Sorry!
I loved how quick and easy this recipe was. I made a fraction of the glaze recipe and used lemon juice instead of water to add some tartness to these very sweet cookies. I also added vanilla extract to both the dough and the glaze. They were huge hits among my housemates even though they were not nearly as picturesque as Nora’s 🙂
Hi Ann. How wonderful the cookies were a hit! Thank you for sharing your ideas and feedback! Happy cooking!
These are also amazing with lemon extract in the glaze!
That sounds delicious, Patrice!
I swear to the universe, these are addicting to everyone I make them for!! My roommate, my family, my friends, people go nuts for these!
I only make em once a year—for Christmas—and if I even joke about not making em everyone goes crazy!!!!
Customizations:
I add more almond extract (3 tsp) and use raspberry or lemon extract for the icing.
Hi Jasmine. How fun to hear how much everyone loves these cookies! Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! Happy baking!
Definit did not turn out as pretty as yours, but they are absolutely delicious. Thank you for this keeper of a recipe. 😊
Hi Amy. You are welcome! I’m glad the cookies turned out delicious! I hope your next batch turns out as pretty as you want them to be!
Hi,
Can you help me- I need to make these the day before. Can I make the cookies and then fill with jam later? Or how do you suggest I store them overnight? Thank you!!
Yes, you can definitely do that, but they store well with the jam inside as well. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.
I love ALL of your recipes, you’re my go to for everything, thank you! Everyone (non vegan too) asks me for your chocolate cake recipe:)
I’m wondering how long these cookies will stay fresh and taste good if I make them ahead of time, is 3 days early too soon?
Thanks,
Alyssa
I am so glad that you are enjoying my recipes! Thank you for sharing that terrific feedback with me! You can store the cookies in a covered container at room temperature for 5-6 days. Enjoy!