These nutty thumbprint cookies are always on our annual holiday cookies list. My side of the family fills the tops with colored frosting or chocolate frosting, and my husband’s side of the family fills them with jam, but Nutella is also a good choice. The butter cookies are rolled in crushed pecans and baked, with the thumbprint added mid-bake.
[Updated December 24, 2009.]
Thumbprint Cookies
Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 202kcal
Equipment
- stand mixer with paddle attachment
- cookie sheets, ungreased (or lined with parchment)
- small bowl
- small plate
Ingredients
COOKIES
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 egg whites, slightly beaten until frothy
- 2 cups finely chopped pecans
FROSTING
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375° F/190° C.
COOKIES
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and egg yolk, then gradually add flour and salt. Stir until well-blended. Put the egg whites in the small bowl and the nuts on the small plate.
- Roll dough into 1″ balls. Dip in slightly beaten egg white, then roll in chopped nuts. Place about 1″ apart on cookie sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and quickly press thumb gently on top of each cookie. Return to oven and bake about 8 minutes longer.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. Place a spoonful of jelly, icing, or chocolate in each thumbprint.
FROSTING
- Cream butter, egg and salt. Add sugar until spreading consistency. (For chocolate icing, reduce confectioners sugar by 2 tablespoons whisk the rest with 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.)
Nutrition
Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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