Name: Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 4 h 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 5 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/2 cup (160g) raspberry jam; 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar; 2 Tablespoons (30g/ml) heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract (optional)

There’s something utterly charming about these little bites of buttery goodness filled with sweet, tangy raspberry jam and a hint of almond. I’m talking about the **Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe**, a timeless treat that always gets rave reviews — and you’ll soon see why this classic cookie deserves a spot in your baking rotation!

A white bowl holds nine round cookies with a light beige texture and a soft, slightly cracked surface. Each cookie has a circular red jam center, glossy and filled with small seeds, creating a strong contrast with the pale cookie dough. Thin white icing lines are drizzled diagonally across the top of each cookie, adding texture and shine. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a few crumbs around it, and parts of more cookies are visible on the edges. The overall look is warm and inviting, with soft natural light enhancing the colors and textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies — they’re not just cookies; they’re a little adventure in texture and flavor. The almond extract adds a subtle, sophisticated note that complements the raspberry jam perfectly. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing!

Perfectly Balanced: The buttery shortbread cookie hugs the raspberry jam, creating a delightful sweet-tart contrast with a hint of almond.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a pantry full of fancy stuff, just the basics you probably have on hand.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough chills and freezes well, so you can prep in advance or save extras for later without sacrificing freshness.
Customizable: You can switch jams or add a drizzle of icing to make these cookies truly your own.

The image shows a group of round shortbread cookies with a smooth, pale golden dough base. Each cookie has a central well filled with bright red jam that looks shiny and slightly textured. Thin white icing lines are drizzled evenly across the top of every cookie, adding contrast and detail. The cookies are arranged closely in rows on a white marbled surface, with one cookie near the center missing a bite, revealing its soft interior with a crumbly texture. There are also small crumbs and drops of icing scattered around the bitten cookie, giving a sense of freshness. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients come together to create such a stunning cookie. I recommend using the best quality butter and jam you can find — it really makes a difference. And don’t worry if your dough seems shy at first; I’ll share tips to get it just right.

Flat lay of a solid block of unsalted butter softened to creamy texture, a small pile of white granulated sugar, a tiny white bowl of clear pure vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl of almond extract, a few grains of sea salt scattered naturally, a small mound of pale all-purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with bright red raspberry jam, a small white bowl of fine white confectioners’ sugar, and a small white bowl with a splash of heavy cream placed neatly side by side on a simple white ceramic surface, perfect symmetry, natural fresh look, no duplicates, no packaging, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Room temperature but not melting—this gives the cookies their tender, crumbly texture.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with that light crunch on the outside.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor beautifully, complementing the almond without overpowering it.
Almond Extract: The star flavor that pairs perfectly with raspberry—just a little goes a long way.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors, making the cookie taste rich and balanced.
All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure while keeping the cookies tender.
Raspberry Jam: Use a thick, high-quality jam for that perfect, luscious filling.
Confectioners’ Sugar: The base for that smooth, sweet icing finish, perfect for drizzling.
Heavy Cream or Milk: Adjusts the icing’s consistency so it’s just right for drizzling or spreading.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with fillings and glazes for this Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe. Sometimes I swap raspberry jam for apricot or even blackberry, depending on what’s fresh or in season. You can also skip the icing, or add a little sprinkle of chopped almonds on top for extra texture.

Variation: Once, I swapped almond extract for lemon extract and topped with lemon icing—it was a bright, refreshing twist that everyone adored.
Dietary Options: Try substituting gluten-free flour blends if you want to make these gluten-free-friendly (just watch for dough consistency).
Jam Swaps: Strawberry, apricot, or even a savory jam like fig can be a surprising but irresistible change.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar to Perfection

Start by beating softened butter on high speed until it’s smooth and creamy—this takes about a minute and is worth the effort because it sets the stage for tender cookies. Then switch to medium speed and add your sugar, vanilla, and almond extracts. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl—this ensures everything blends evenly, so your cookies have that perfect almond-vanilla flavor throughout.

Step 2: Add Flour and Salt Gradually

Next, add salt and flour slowly on low speed until your dough comes together. It should be a very soft dough—if it feels too sticky to roll, simply fold in a tablespoon more flour. This step is key; too much flour will make the cookies dry, but too little makes rolling tricky. Trust your hands here!

Step 3: Roll, Press, and Chill for Firmness

Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Use your thumb to gently press an indentation into each ball—don’t worry if it cracks a bit, just smooth it with your fingers. Now, here’s the important part: chill these shaped dough balls for at least 4 hours. This chilling step is a game changer for preventing spreading and tucking in that jam perfectly.

Step 4: Bake with Care

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Place the chilled cookies on parchment-lined sheets, spacing them 2–3 inches apart. Fill each thumbprint with a scant ½ teaspoon of raspberry jam—too much jam can spill over while baking. Bake for about 13–15 minutes — you’re looking for just a hint of golden edges. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Whisk and Drizzle the Icing

Whisk confectioners’ sugar with heavy cream (or milk) plus an optional splash of vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Adjust with more liquid or sugar until the icing is just the right drizzling consistency. I find drizzling a thin icing over cooled cookies adds a beautiful finish and a touch of extra sweetness. Let it set for about an hour, and you’re ready to dig in!

Top Tip

From my experience making Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies, the secret to that perfect shortbread texture lies in chilling the dough thoroughly. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way so you don’t have to:

Chill the Shape: Always chill the shaped dough balls with indentations—this prevents the cookies from losing their shape and keeps the jam nestled safely during baking.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies are tender, so watch for just golden edges. Overbaking dries them out and makes the texture less melt-in-your-mouth.
Handle Jam Gently: Use just a little jam so it doesn’t bubble over. If it starts to seep during baking, you can always blot gently with a paper towel after cooling.
Customize the Icing: Thin your icing more for a drizzle or keep it thicker for a glaze—this small tweak changes the cookie’s finish entirely!

How to Serve Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

raspberry thumbprint cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping these cookies simple, but sometimes I sprinkle a few slivered roasted almonds on top of the icing for that extra crunch and nuttiness. A tiny dusting of powdered sugar over the completed cookies also adds a pretty snow-dusted look perfect for holidays.

Side Dishes

These almond-raspberry gems pair beautifully with tea or coffee—especially a robust black tea or a mild almond-flavored coffee. I also enjoy them alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit salad for a light touch at afternoon gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, arrange the cookies in a circle with a dollop of jam in the center, then place a sprig of fresh mint or edible flowers for color. I’ve also made cookie boxes with multiple jam varieties and iced colors for birthday parties—it’s always a hit and makes for a stunning gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for about 2 days, perfect for enjoying within a cozy couple of days. If you want them to last longer, keeping them in the refrigerator can extend their life up to a week.

Freezing

One of the best things about this recipe is you can freeze both the shaped dough balls and the fully baked cookies. I like to freeze the dough on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw them in the fridge and proceed with jam filling and baking. Baked cookies freeze well too, with or without icing—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat or they get too soft. Alternatively, a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven for just a few minutes helps bring back that shortbread crumb with a slightly crisp edge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of jam in the Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam is classic, you can substitute strawberry, apricot, blackberry, or even mixed berry jams to suit your taste. Just make sure the jam is thick to avoid spreading too much during baking.

Why do I need to chill the dough for so long?

Chilling the dough solidifies the butter and firms up the dough, preventing the cookies from spreading too much when baked. It also helps keep the thumbprint indentation intact so you can fill them perfectly with jam.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure to check the dough consistency as gluten-free flours sometimes absorb moisture differently, and you may need to add a bit more flour or an extra binding agent like xanthan gum.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 2 days. Refrigerating them extends their freshness up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months, so you can bake in batches to enjoy whenever the craving hits.

Final Thoughts

These Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies hold a special place in my heart because they’re so easy to make yet impressively delicious. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself to a cozy afternoon, they bring that perfect balance of buttery crumb, fruity sweetness, and a whisper of almond aroma. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—so grab your mixing bowl and let’s get baking!