Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are a classic treat that’s fun to make and even more fun to eat! These vegan thumbprint cookies have a soft, buttery texture with a sweet jam-filled center. They’re made with simple ingredients, and you can customize them with your favorite fruit jam for a burst of flavor in every bite. This recipe is easy to follow, and the cookies come together quickly with just a few steps.
There’s no need for eggs or dairy—just a few plant-based swaps to keep them soft and delicious. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a sweet snack, these cookies are a great choice. They’re also great for including kids in the kitchen! Shaping, pressing, and filling the cookies is a fun activity for the whole family.
You won’t want to miss more of our favorite cookie recipes to share with friends and family, such as these award-winning, chewy vegan oatmeal cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, these super easy no-bake chocolate cookies, and vegan sugar cookies (use heart-shaped cookie cutters for Valentine’s Day!) For a really special occasion, you can’t beat these lovely edible flower cookies. Or if you want something that can be eaten straight from a spoon, try this edible peanut butter cookie dough!
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
Vegan thumbprint cookies are the ultimate bite-sized treat that’s both fun to make and even more fun to eat! With a soft, buttery base and a jam-filled center, every bite is a perfect little sweet moment. Plus, they’re totally plant-based, so you can indulge without a second thought! Here are more reasons to love these cookies:
- Perfect for Any Holiday. These jam-filled cookies are the perfect treat to gift to family and friends for any occasion! Anyone who tries these buttery shortbread cookies filled with jam can’t get enough. Make them heart shaped for Valentine’s day, or egg-shaped for the Easter holiday. This recipe is versatile for any season and holiday!
- Quick and Simple to Make. You just need six simple ingredients to make these vegan thumbprint cookies. There’s a good chance you already have all the ingredients in your pantry, making them easy to whip up in a moment’s notice. Sure, you could order from online vegan bakeries, buy Oreos (yes, they’re vegan!), or grab some vegan Girl Scout cookies. But, trust us, these thumbprint cookies are worth making!
- Easy to Customize with Flavorful Fillings. There’s no limit to the flavor variations with these cookies. Any jam or preserve with your favorite fruity flavor perfectly pairs with the shortbread cookie base. Whether that’s strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blueberry, or any other jam flavor you desire, it’s sure to be a winner with these cookies!
- Family-Friendly. These cookies are fun to make and a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Whether that’s mixing, rolling and shaping, or making little thumbprint designs, it’s sure to be a fun activity for all!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
The beauty of these vegan thumbprints cookies is how short and sweet the ingredient list is. All you need are six simple ingredients:
- Vegan Butter – Adds that rich, buttery flavor and creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture in your thumbprint cookies. If you’re in a pinch, you can also use coconut oil, which will give a slight coconut flavor, but vegan butter is the ideal choice for that classic buttery taste. Use room temperature vegan butter to ensure it mixes well with the other ingredients.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the cookies brown beautifully while baking. For a lower sugar option, you can reduce the sugar slightly or swap it out for coconut sugar for a more natural option. Maple syrup or agave nectar can replace sugar for a different, slightly softer texture.
- Vanilla and Almond Extract – The vanilla provides a classic, sweet comforting taste, while the almond extract adds a subtle nutty note that makes these cookies extra special. If you’re not a fan of almond flavor, feel free to skip the almond extract and use more vanilla. Use pure extracts for the best flavor. You can swap almond extract with a dash of cinnamon or even a bit of orange zest for a different twist.
- All-Purpose Flour – Helps the dough hold together and ensures the cookies have that soft, crumbly bite. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid using too much. A 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute works well for anyone looking for a gluten-free option.
- Jam or Preserves – Provide a burst of sweet, fruity flavor in each bite. You can use any jam or preserves you love—think raspberry, blueberry, or apricot. Make sure the jam is thick enough to stay in the cookie’s center during baking. You can use your favorite store-bought brand or try this easy 3-ingredient vegan strawberry jam.
How To Make Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies come together in less than 30 minutes with just a few simple steps! Here is a step-by-step guide so you know what to look for when making the dough. For full recipe details, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Dough – Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat together vegan butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts, then gradually mix in the flour until a crumbly dough forms. If needed, add water, one teaspoon at a time, to make the dough more pliable.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies – Take a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, and place it on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten each ball and use your thumb to press two indentations in the center, forming a heart shape.
Step 3: Fill with Jam – Spoon your favorite preserves into the thumbprint indentations of each cookie, making sure each one is filled.
Step 4: Bake and Cool – Bake the cookies for 17-19 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Allow them to cool on the pan for about 30 minutes before serving.Add the vegan butter and sugar to a large bowl and beat together with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Helpful Tips and Serving Suggestions
Looking for ways to make your vegan thumbprint cookies even more delicious? These tips and serving suggestions will help you take your cookies to the next level with fun twists and creative ideas. There are so many ways to enjoy these sweet treats:
- Pair with a Fancy Beverage – Serve with a warm cup of hot chocolate, coffee cocktail, or cool fruity drink for the perfect afternoon or evening treat. The sweetness of the cookies pairs beautifully with both hot and cold drinks.
- Add a Sweet Drizzle – For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle your favorite vegan chocolate, dairy-free caramel sauce, or warmed vegan frosting over the cookies. It adds a fun twist and makes them feel like a gourmet dessert!
- Make a Cookie Sandwich – Why stop at one cookie when you can make a mini sandwich? Top one cookie with dairy-free ice cream and top with another to create a delicious ice cream cookie sandwich that’s even more fun to eat!
- Fun Flavor Variations – You can use whichever fillings you fancy and mix ’em up for a fun and beautiful plate. For a traditional cookie, use apricot preserves, strawberry jam, grape jelly, blueberry preserves, etc. If you’d like something more special, consider or a very light colored jelly with a sprinkle of edible glitter for a unique birthday cookie!
- Chill for a Cool Treat – Pop your thumbprint cookies in the fridge for a bit to enjoy them as a cool, refreshing snack. The chilled cookies have a slightly firmer texture and the jam gets an extra little burst of flavor!
FAQs
Store these vegan thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. For longer storage you can keep them in the refrigerator, just allow them to soften up at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before enjoying.
Most likely the butter was too soft. If timing the softness of butter is a struggle, you can chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
Most likely the dough was too dry. Which is usually because the butter wasn’t soft enough. To counteract this, you can add a teaspoon of water at a time to the dough and mix again until the dough can hold its shape when rolled into a ball. The dough will still look crumbly after mixing but should roll into a smooth ball.
In Sweden, these cookies are called Hallongrotta, which means “raspberry cave.” In Australia, they go by the name of “jam drops.”
If you make this adorable vegan thumbprint cookie recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies (6 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan butter, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup jam, or preserves of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add the vanilla and almond extracts and beat to combine. Add flour 1⁄2 cup at a time, beating until the dough is well mixed. This will create a crumbly-looking dough that you should be able to mold together with your hands. If the dough is too crumbly to hold together, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until a more pliable dough forms (it should still look slightly crumbly).
- Take a heaping tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, and place it on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with your hand and using your thumb, press two thumbprints in the center forming a heart. Repeat with remaining dough, leaving one inch between each cookie. Spoon preserves into the dents on each cookie.
- Bake for 17 – 19 minutes, until the cookies just start to get very lightly golden. Allow to cool on the pan for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Storage Tips: These vegan thumbprint cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. For longer storage you can keep them in the refrigerator, just allow them to soften up at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before enjoying.
- Flavor Variations: Try using different flavors of jam/preserves for each cookie or use a color jam that will match with the holiday (ie. raspberry or cherry jam for Valentine’s Day, strawberry and/or mint jelly for Christmas, grape jelly or apricot preserves for Easter, or a very light colored jelly (possibly with some edible glitter!) for a birthday cookie!)
Nutrition
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Love these cookies soo good! Kids love it too
So easy, so delicious. I love how much fun it is to add the jelly middle. They would make such a pretty edible Valentine’s gift!
These are my kiddos favorites and we make them religiously!
Love how easy these thumbprint cookies are to whip up! So tasty!
These vegan thumbprint cookies are so good! Love that there are only six ingredients. They were also fun to make!
Love making these heart shaped thumbprint cookies for Valentine’s Day!
We make these cookies with the kids ALL the time! It’s become one of our Christmas traditions and we couldn’t love it more!
One of my favorite cookie recipes!! I don’t know what it is about jam and baked goods, but it’s a heavenly combination in my book. I also have a peanut butter obsession, so this recipe is like it’s made just for me. My favorite jam to use is raspberry, but I’ve always wanted to try a savory jelly, like hot pepper jelly. Might be tasty!
These are definitely more on the “healthy” side for cookies than I’m used to, but they do hit the spot and are also wholesome enough to feel okay about sharing with my toddler!
Cookies are one of my favorite treats and it’s nice to have a recipe to switch it up from the usual chocolate chip! I also love that it calls for oat flour which I have plenty of 🙂