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Home » Recipe Search » Cookies

Nov 19, 2020(last updated December 17, 2022)

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Icing (No Cracks!)

5 from 3 votes
BySam Adler
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This post might have affiliate links, please check out my full disclosure policy.

These raspberry thumbprint cookies are a classic holiday recipe! The cookies are made with cream cheese for a smooth and soft texture that wont crack, and then they are stuffed with sweet raspberry jam. Drizzle them with their sweet and sticky cream cheese icing for a cookie everyone will love!

Raspberry thumbprint cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet

Who can say no to a raspberry thumbprint cookie! Definitely not me! As a trained pastry chef, I have tasted my fair share of cookies, but I have to tell you these are on my list of top 5 favorite holiday cookies.

A thumbprint cookie got it’s name from the way they are made. You roll the cookie dough up and then press your thumb into it to made an indentation, then bake!

They almost melt in your mouth! The contrast between the thick cookie base, the sweet raspberry glaze, and the tangy icing is such a delicious combo! You won’t be able to stop at just one!

As far as my other favorite holiday cookies, these gingersnap cookies are way up there along with these cranberry pistachio shortbread, and these eggnog snickerdoodle cookies! You cant go wrong withy any of these!

Why you’ll love these cookies

  • They are super easy to make. I’ve made these with my kids and they had the best time!
  • The tangy cream cheese glaze takes these over the top.
  • They are perfect for gift giving!

Ingredients you need

Ingredients for thumbprint cookies.
  • Unsalted butter-You will need softened butter to cream with the sugars. Learn how to soften butter quickly!
  • Granulated sugar– This give the cookie structure and sweetness.
  • Powdered sugar– Powdered sugar helps give the cookie it’s soft melt in your mouth texture. You will also use it for the glaze.
  • Cream Cheese– Full fat cream cheese is used in the actual cookie recipe and for the glaze. You only need one block (8 oz) and you will still have a little left over. Learn how to soften cream cheese quickly if you forgot to leave it out!
  • Egg– Helps build the cookie structure.
  • Vanilla extract– Vanilla adds a great balanced flavor to the cookie.
  • All purpose flour– Flour is the base of the cookie and what holds it together.
  • Kosher salt– This brings out the flavor.
  • Raspberry Jam– You’ll stuff the cookie with raspberry jam after they are baked.
  • Milk– You only need 1 tbsp of this to thin out the cookie icing.

How to make Raspberry thumbprint cookies

Make the thumbprint cookie dough– You can either make the cookies in a stand or hand mixer or you can make it by hand with a medium sized bowl and a big spatula. Cream the butter, both sugars, and cream cheese together on low speed if using a mixer or stir really well until light yellow and foamy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and mix again. Add in the flour and salt and mix until the dough forms.

Shape and press the dough– Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon kitchen, scoop the dough and roll it into a ball. Place it on a cookie sheet and repeat till you’re finished with the dough. Wet your thumb and gently press in into the middle of each cookie. Chill for 30 mins.

Bake and Fill- Bake the cookies at 375°F for 15 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Cool the cookies for 10 minutes then fill with 1/2 tsp of raspberry jam.

Ice the cookies- In a small bowl whisk together the cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and milk until a smooth glaze forms. Drizzle the glaze all over the cookies. Drizzling them on a diagonal makes them look really pretty!

Creamed butter and sugar in a glass bowl on a gray surface
Cookie dough in a glass bowl on a gray surface
Cookie dough balls lined on a parchment covered cookie sheet
Pressed thumbprint cookie dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet
Thumbprint cookies filled with jam on a cookie sheet

I fill these cookies with jam after they are baked.

I tried the before method and although they still tasted good, I didn’t like the way they looked. The jam kind of dried out a little bit too.

Tips for recipe success

  • When the cookies come out of the oven they may puff up a little. Press them down again with your thumb when they are still warm to make the thumbprint even deeper. Just be careful they may still be hot!
  • To make the jam easier to fill, warm it up in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  • This recipe doesn’t spread a lot so you can bake more cookies per sheet. You only need about 1 1/2 inches in between the cookies.
  • I fill these cookies with jam after they are baked. I tried the before method and although they still tasted good, I didn’t like the way they looked. The jam kind of dried out a little bit too.
  • To store these without the cookies sticking, wait to glaze them with the icing before serving. Also line the cookie tin with wax paper if you are planning on stacking the cookies.

No Crack Thumbprint Cookies

Because of the cream cheese in this recipe it really helps to keep the dough soft so there shouldn’t be any cracking. It also really helps to wet your thumb before pressing it in. If they do crack you can just smooth the dough back together and it should bake smooth.

Glazed Raspberry thumbprint cookies on a parchment lined baking tray next to a bowl of jam

Storing and freezing tips

Storing- You can store the cookies at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 3 days. They will keep longer in the fridge for up to 6 days. Use wax paper to line the rows of cookies so they don’t stick.

Freezing- To freeze the cookies you can either freeze the cookie dough or freeze the baked cookies. For baked cookies, don’t fill or glaze before freezing. Place the bake cookies in a zip top freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve, fill with jam and drizzle with the glaze.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use other jams or fillings for these cookies?

Of course! Try any jam you like, or try filling with a chocolate spread or even peanut butter.

Why do my thumbprint cookies crack?

Make sure to use lightly wet hands when rolling the cookie dough and that it is smooth throughout before you press your thumb into it. The cream cheese really helps in this recipe so it shouldnt crack so much!

More fun cookie recipes!

  • Quick Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
  • Thin & Crispy Gingersnap Cookies
  • Crispy and Chewy Orange Cookies
  • Crispy and Chewy Coconut Cookies
Raspberry thumbprint cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Icing (No Cracks!)

These raspberry thumbprint cookies are a classic holiday recipe! The cookies are made with cream cheese for a smooth and soft texture that wont crack, and then they are stuffed with sweet raspberry jam. Drizzle them with their sweet and sticky cream cheese icing for a cookie everyone will love!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Diet: Kosher
Keyword: Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, raspberry thumbprint cookies, thumbprint cookies, thumbprint cookies with icing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Sam Adler

Ingredients

For the cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
  • 4 oz cream cheese 1/2 cup
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup raspberry jam

For the glaze

  • 2 tbsp cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Make the cookies

  • You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or make this recipe by hand. In the bowl combine the 1 cup softened butter with 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup confectioners sugar. Cream on low speed or mix by hand until foamy and light. Add the 1/2 cup cream cheese, egg yolk, and 2 tsp vanilla and cream again.
    Creamed butter and sugar in a glass bowl on a gray surface
  • Add the 2 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 tsp kosher salt and mix until the dough forms.
    Cookie dough in a glass bowl on a gray surface
  • Scoop out the dough using a small cookie scoop or using a kitchen spoon and roll into a ball. Line the cookies up on the baking sheet 1 1/2" apart. Wet your thumb and press it into the cookie.
    Pressed thumbprint cookie dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet
  • Preheat the oven to 375° and bake for 15 minutes. Cool.
  • Warm up the jam for 30 seconds in the microwave. Spoon 1/2 tsp jam into each cookie.
    Thumbprint cookies filled with jam on a cookie sheet

Make the Glaze

  • Combine the 2 tbsp cream cheese with 1/3 cup confectioners sugar and 1 tbsp milk. Whisk until a smooth glaze forms. Line the cookies up on a cookie sheet and drizzle the glaze all over the cookies. Enjoy!
    Glazed Raspberry thumbprint cookies on a parchment lined baking tray next to a bowl of jam

Notes

You can use any kind of jam for the filling.
Make sure when rolling out the dough that it is smooth with no cracks to ensure the cookies won’t crack while baking. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Icing (No Cracks!)
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 195 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 72mg3%
Potassium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 327IU7%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 13mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I love when you share my recipes!!

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Filed Under: Cookies Tagged With: Cheese, Raspberry

About Sam Adler

Sam Adler is a Le Cordon Bleu professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger over on FrostingandFettuccine.com. She has been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, Saveur Magazine, The Feed Feed, and Food Blogger Pro. Sam lives in Hollywood florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog. When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Molly Gross says

    November 24, 2020 at 11:26 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe! I loved how FLUFFY and soft they came out.
    I made some tweaks, and did 1/4 cream cheese and 1/4 Greek yogurt. And added princess bakery emulsion. I baked for a minute less, and baked with the jam in the cookies.
    I will definitely make these again. Glad I saw this post on Instagram.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      November 28, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      YAY Molly! So happy you enjoyed these! Princess bakery emulsion sounds fun!! Thanks so much for your rating and review!!

      Reply

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Hi! Im Sam Adler,

I'm a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer.
This is a place where you will find easy yet impressive looking desserts. I also share a ton of food photography resources too! What can I say, I love pretty & delicious baked goods! Learn more about me!

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Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @ta Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @taylorswift theme has got to be my fave (see my last reel for the explanation of each cookie!) but I have so much fun every year making these! Which one is your fave?! 

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ARE YOU READY FOR IT?! 2022 Cookie Box is @taylors ARE YOU READY FOR IT?! 2022 Cookie Box is @taylorswift themed!! 
1. “Like a rainbow with all of the colors” sprinkle cookies 
2. “Lover” heart sugar cookies 
3. “Lavender Haze” shortbread (made with lavender and a pearly shimmer powder)
4. “Midnight” cookies AKA my chocolate brownie cookies 
5. “Red lip classic” sugar cookies 
6. More midnight cookies- (dusted with powdered sugar to look like the midnight cloudy sky)
7. “Bejeweled” sugar cookies (Navy bc black fondant was out of stock)
8. @taylorswift famous chai cookies 

Merry Christmas if you’re celebrating and hope you have a happy New Year’s Day!
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#ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up #ad This year for Chanukah we’re switching it up from classic sufganiyot to make these fun donut fries! Puffy, golden, and delicious, dip your “fries” into melted chocolate or raspberry jelly and celebrate all week long! @aldiusa makes it super easy with their amazing selection of high quality products at seriously unimaginable prices. Run to your nearest @aldiusa to find all the ingredients you need to make these and have a Happy Chanukah!
Find the recipe below!

#ALDILove
Prep time: 1 hr 45 mins
Cook time: 1 min
Yield: 40 donut fries
2 pack Baker’s Corner Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup Sugar
2 Simply Nature Grade A Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs
2 tbsp Stonemill Pure Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup Carlini Pure Vegetable Oil
5-6 cups Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Kosher salt
½ cup Baker’s Corner Powdered Sugar
For Dipping:
1 cup Baker’s Corner Dark or Milk Chocolate Morsels
Simply Nature Organic Raspberry Preserves
Method:
•Mix the yeast with water in a mixer bowl and let stand for 10 mins until frothy. Add the
sugar, eggs, vanilla, and oil to the bowl and mix until well combined.
•Start adding only 5 cups of flour and salt, and knead/mix on medium speed in a stand mixer
fitted with the dough attachment for 5 minutes until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. If the
dough seems sticky, add ¼ cup flour to the dough until it no longer sticks to the bowl when
mixing.
•Let the dough rest in the bowl for an hour to double in size. 
•Punch down the dough and remove it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Using a
lightly floured rolling pin, roll it out into a rectangle. About 18”x 15” and 1/2 of an inch in
thickness. 
•Using a pizza cutter, cut in half vertically. Then slice thin strips horizontally. You want them
thin as they will puff up while frying.
•Let the fries rest for another 15 mins. 
•Meanwhile, using a deep fryer or a large pot, heat your oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the donut
fries 30 seconds per side, then drain on a paper towel.
•Dust the donut fries with powdered sugar and set aside.
•Microwave 1 cup of dark or milk chocolate for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Scoop
jelly into another bowl. Dip the fries in the chocolate or jelly!
Happy birthday @taylorswift 👸🏼 hope it feels Happy birthday @taylorswift 👸🏼 hope it feels like a perfect night and you’re not weepin in a party bathroom. IYKYK
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Also here’s to wishing me getting those tix!
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I sure do like these gingersnap cookies babe 😂 I sure do like these gingersnap cookies babe 😂 

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