These Holiday Jamboree Cookies (also known as Thumbprint Cookies) are so easy to make and you can choose to use any jam or jelly for the center! Make them for your next holiday work party, book or wine club night, or for Santa because I hear he likes them!
Small jar of strawberry preserves(or whatever jam or jelly you prefer!)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Set aside.
3 cups All-Purpose Flour, ½ teaspoon Salt
Using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy in texture.
1 ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, 1 cup Granulated Sugar
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract.
2 Large Eggs, 2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
Switching the mixer speed to low, gradually add in the whisked dry mixture until just combined.
Cover the top of the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours. Overnight is even better.
When ready to bake, adjust your oven rack to the 2nd level position (just above center) and preheat your oven to 375ºF.
Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper and set aside.
Using a spoon or a 1 ½ tablespoon-size cookie scoop, roll the cookie dough into balls and place on the parchment lined cookie sheet.
Using your thumb or a spoon, dip in cold water (to avoid the dough sticking to you or the spoons) and make a dent in center of each cookie. Fill dent with jam or jelly of your choosing using a spoon or a piping bag with the tip cut off. Optional: Sprinkle tops with sparkling sugar or chopped walnuts or pecans (I opted for just the sparking sugar with a touch of edible gold dust cause I'm fancy like that).
Small jar of strawberry preserves
Bake at 375ºF for 10 to 12 minutes. Cookies should have a very light golden brown color to them. Allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Notes
To make the center cookie dent, you can use your thumb, or a small spoon dipped in cold water. This will help keep the dough from sticking to you or the spoon!