How to Make Homemade Jam Cookies(Thumbprint Cookies)
Jam cookies(Thumbprint Cookies) are one of the most nostalgic and popular Iranian cookies, with a soft texture, buttery flavor, and a hearty dollop of colorful jam. This cookie has been a staple on Nowruz holiday trays for years, and it holds a special place alongside other cookies like Shirini keshmeshi and Ghottab. A small, colorful cookie that reminds us of our grandmother’s house, Nowruz, and simple, intimate gatherings, and gives us the joy of childhood. In this article, we have prepared the easiest way to make these charming little cookies for you to use for parties and even to sell them.
What is Jam Cookies(Thumbprint Cookies)?
Jam Cookies are a type of buttery cookie with a small hole in the middle and filled with jam. This cookie looks very similar to the famous Thumbprint Cookies, but the Iranian version is usually softer, thinner, and more delicate. The most important features of this pastry are its soft and delicate texture, high durability, colorful appearance, and simple ingredients.
Ingredients for Jam cookies (About 35 pieces)
To prepare this delicate pastry, be sure to use fresh ingredients for better quality and taste.
| Softened butter at room temperature | 150 grams |
| Sifted powdered sugar | 75 grams (half a cup of granulated sugar) |
| Egg yolk | 1 piece |
| Vanilla | 4/1 teaspoon |
| White pastry flour | About 200 to 230 grams |
| Thick jam (strawberry, apricot, or cherry) | As needed |
| Pistachio powder, dried coconut, melted chocolate | For decoration |
How to prepare Jam cookies Step by Step(Thumbprint Cookies)
Step 1: Prepare the butter and powdered sugar
The butter should be completely at room temperature; neither hard nor melted. Beat the butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer for about 3 to 5 minutes until a creamy, light, and fluffy mixture is created, and this step is the most important secret to the sweetness of the pastry.
Step 2: Add the yolks and vanilla
Add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix for about 1 more minute until completely smooth.
Step 3: Add the flour
Be sure to sift the flour twice because this will make your dough have a softer and better texture. Then, gradually add the ingredients and gather the dough with a whisk or your hands. Do not knead the dough, just enough to gather it. Kneading too much will make the pastry tough, and the final dough should be soft, tender, and slightly sticky but not sticky to your hands.
Step 4: Rest the dough
Place the dough in a freezer bag and rest in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.
Why is this step important?
- Prevent the pastry from spreading in the oven
- Prevent cracking
- Better shaping
Step 5: Shape the pastries
Turn on the oven to 170 degrees Celsius to heat it up, and take walnut-sized balls of dough and roll them in your hands. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spaced apart. Press the center of each ball slightly with your finger or the end of a wooden spoon to create a hollow.
Step 6: Add the jam
The jam should be thick, and if it is watery, place it on low heat for a while until it thickens. Pour a small amount of jam into the hollow of each pastry, and do not overdo it because it may overflow.
The best jams:
- Apricot (shiny and elegant)
- Strawberry (attractive color)
- Cherry (soft and unique flavor)
Step 7: Bake the jam pastry
Place the tray on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. The bottom of the pastry should be slightly golden but not too brown. After removing from the oven, let them cool completely; otherwise, they may crumble.
Jam Cookies (Thumbprint Cookies): Soft, Buttery & Perfect for Nowruz
Ingredients
Method
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
- Beat softened butter and powdered sugar for 3-5 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy.
- This step is the key to soft, tender cookies.
- Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla
- Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla for about 1 minute until smooth and uniform.
- Step 3: Add the Flour
- Sift the flour twice for a soft texture.
- Gradually fold it into the butter mixture using a spatula or your hands.
- Do not knead-overworking the dough makes the cookies tough.
- Step 4: Rest the Dough
- Wrap the dough in a freezer bag and refrigerate 30-60 minutes.
- Why:
- Prevents spreading in the oven
- Avoids cracking
- Improves shape and texture
- Step 5: Shape the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F).
- Roll walnut-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
- Press a small hollow in the center of each ball with your finger or spoon.
- Step 6: Fill With Jam
- Use thick jam to avoid overflow.
- Spoon a small amount into each hollow.
- Best jams:
- Apricot- shiny and elegant
- Strawberry- bright and attractive
- Cherry- slightly tart and unique
- Step 7: Bake
- Bake 12-15 minutes on the middle rack.
- Bottoms should be lightly golden; tops remain pale.
- Cool completely before removing-they are fragile while warm.
How to store jam pastry
After they have cooled completely, place them in a sealed metal container, place greaseproof paper between the layers, and store them in a cool, dry place. This Jam cookies can be stored at room temperature for 10 to 14 days and in the freezer for about 1 month.
Benefits of Jam cookies for the body
- Rapid energy supply: Due to sugar and white flour, it can quickly increase the body’s energy during a drop in blood sugar or sudden weakness.
- Temporary improvement in mood: Sugar consumption causes a temporary release of happy hormones.
- Better food safety than cream pastries: Due to the dry texture, it is less likely to spoil.
Disadvantages of Jam cookies for the body
- High sugar and glycemic index: Causes a rapid increase in blood sugar and is not suitable for diabetics.
- Relatively high in calories: Each piece has about 70-90 kcal, and consuming too much of it can lead to weight gain.
- High in saturated fat: The presence of butter may increase bad cholesterol if consumed in large quantities.
- Risk of tooth decay: Sugar and jam create a suitable environment for the growth of oral bacteria.
- Low nutritional value: It has little fiber and micronutrients, and most of its calories are considered “empty”.
The secret to the softness of Jam cookies
- Using powdered sugar instead of sugar
- Mixing butter and powdered sugar sufficiently
- Not kneading the dough
- Respecting the resting time
Why do Jam cookies crack?
Common reasons:
- Too much flour
- Too little resting
- High oven temperature
- Over-kneading the dough
Why do pastries spread in the oven?
- Too soft or melted butter
- Warm dough
- Insufficient resting
Summary
Jam cookies(Thumbprint Cookies) are one of the simplest and most popular Eid sweets. By following a few simple tips, you can make soft, well-shaped, and completely professional-looking pastries.
If you are looking for a reliable recipe for Eid or home sales, this tested recipe can be your best choice.(allrecipes)
Frequently Asked Questions
1-Can oil be used instead of butter?
Yes, but the taste and aroma of butter are not comparable and the texture will be slightly different.
2-Can this pastry be made without an oven?
Yes, it can be baked in a double-sided pan or a covered pot on a very low flame, but the result will not be exactly the same as in the oven.
3-What is the baking temperature?
170°C is ideal for home ovens.
4-Can jam cookies be made more diet-friendly?
Yes, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar a little and use sugar-free jam or make the cookies smaller.