Cranberry Sauce Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Easy Holiday Treat
Tart, buttery, and festive cookies with a cranberry sauce center, perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought, thick and chunky)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup (227g) of unsalted butter and 3/4 cup (150g) of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 egg yolks and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
- Gradually mix in 2 cups (250g) of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. The dough should come together and be slightly soft but not sticky.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll each piece into a ball. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, gently press into the center of each dough ball to create an indent. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid cracking the dough.
- Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry sauce into the center of each cookie. Don’t overfill, as the sauce may spill over while baking.
- Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Let the cookies cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
[‘Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to ensure the right texture.’, ‘Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft or sticky.’, ‘Use a thick cranberry sauce to avoid runny messes.’, ‘Add a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the dough for extra holiday flair.’, ‘If baking on a humid day, add an extra tablespoon of flour to the dough for better structure.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cranberry sauce cookies, holiday cookies, thumbprint cookies, festive dessert, easy baking recipe