Thumbprint Tea Cookies Recipes

MATCHA THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and bake until lightly toasted, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
• Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, matcha and salt in a bowl.
• Beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and egg yolk. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating after each until just incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and make sure the dough is evenly mixed.
• Roll the dough into about thirty-two 1-inch balls, making them as smooth and even as you can, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use the back of a round teaspoon measuring spoon to flatten the cookies and make an indentation in the center of each ball (rearrange the cookies as necessary so that they fit; they don't spread out too much, so about 1/2 inch of space between them is sufficient). If making the indentation causes a large crack, repair the crack with your fingers or re-roll the cookie and try again. Refrigerate the cookies until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Bake the cookies until the undersides are light golden brown and the tops puffed and set, about 11 minutes. Remove the cookies and use the teaspoon measuring spoon to re-make the indentations that have puffed up during baking. Bake the cookies for 1 minute more, then cool on the baking sheet.
• For the chocolate filling: Put the chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Put the cream, butter and corn syrup in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until steaming hot. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips and let stand 5 minutes, then stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth. If the chocolate chips do not completely melt, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of chocolate into the well of each cookie, then lightly press a toasted walnut half into each. Let stand until the chocolate sets.

JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined and then add the vanilla. Separately, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. (If you have a scale they should each weigh 1 ounce.) Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your finger. Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool and serve.

NUTTY JAM THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Put the granulated sugar in the food processor and process until it is fine and powdery, about 30 seconds. (Be sure to cover the feed tube so the powder doesn't float out.)
• Add the flour, salt and pecans and pulse until the nuts are finely ground.
• Add the butter and vanilla and process until the mixture looks damp and comes together. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover with saran wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
• Position racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Use the tip of a wooden spoon handle to press an indentation about ¾ of the way down into the center of each ball (twist slightly to release; if the handle sticks, dip it in flour). Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, or until lightly colored on top and golden brown on the bottom. (If your oven cooks unevenly, rotate cookies from top to bottom and from front to back halfway through baking time.)
• Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Using a sieve, dust cookies with confectioners' sugar. Use a tiny spoon or the tip of a teaspoon handle to fill with jam, jelly or preserves.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The Cookie Dough can be Frozen for up to 3 Months: Roll the dough into balls, let set on a baking sheet in the freezer, then place in a sealable bag and press out as much air as possible. Bake as needed directly from the freezer. (Allow 1 to 2 minutes longer in the oven.) To Freeze After Baking: Let the cookies cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove the cookies from the container and let them come to room temperature. (For best results, add the jam after defrosting.)

THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolk and vanilla; beat well. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt; add to butter mixture, beating on low until combined.
• Combine ground almonds with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Form dough into 1-inch balls, and dip in beaten egg white, then in almond-and-sugar mixture. Make a deep indentation in the center of each ball with your finger or a wooden spoon. Place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake 10 minutes, remove from oven, and press down the centers again. Rotate sheets, and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes more. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool slightly. Fill center of each cookie with about 1 teaspoon jam. Let cool completely. Thumbprints can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, between parchment, up to 1 day (or 3 days, if not filled with jam).

PERFECT THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix butter and powdered sugar together with a rubber spatula until creamy. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, salt, and egg yolk. Mix with the spatula. Add flour and blend until just combined.
• Use a sorbet scoop to portion dough into 1/2-ounce (1-tablespoon) balls. Roll balls in a plate of white sugar to coat; roll again between your palms. Place several inches apart on a silicone-lined baking sheet. Flatten balls lightly with your fingers.
• To make shortbread cookies with a little jam, poke a well into each cookie using the end of a thick wooden spoon dusted with powdered sugar or using one of your fingers. Fill cookies with fruit jam. Tap baking sheet against the counter to let jam settle.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are barely blonde and bottoms are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack before icing.
• Meanwhile, mix powdered sugar with a little milk until you have a consistency that will hold its shape when piped. Pipe icing on top of cookies in a zigzag pattern. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
• For a more jam-forward cookie, press your thumb into the cookies to make large, shallow indentations. Spoon in jam. Tap baking sheet against the counter.
• Bake until not quite golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let rest on pan for 5 minutes before transferring a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar.

ICED THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Put butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla. Reduce speed to low, and gradually mix in flour, salt, and pecans. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls, and space 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press thumb into center of each cookie. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven; press centers with the end of a wooden spoon. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets.
• Stir together confectioners' sugar and milk; tint pink. Fill centers with icing. Let set overnight.

THUMBPRINT TEA COOKIES

Steps:

• Blend margarind sugar, vanilla and egg yolks.
• Add flour.
• Pinch off and roll small balls in hands.
• Roll each in egg whites, then nuts.
• Place on greased cookie sheet, make a dent in each ball and fill with preserves.
• Bake for 7 minutes at 350 degrees.