Classic Thumbprint Cookies
You probably came here because of the delicious-looking photos! Maybe you idea of a thumbprint cookie is something you had as a kid with jelly in them. I promise never to publish a gluten-free recipe unless it is absolutely delicious. I don’t use one gluten-free flour for everything. For each item I make, I try different flours until I hit upon the best tasting cookie, cake, pie, or dessert that will knock the socks off of you and your family. I no longer make 2 of everything – 1 gluten-filled and 1 gluten-free. When I am making desserts, I make the gluten-free version and my family is amazed. I have perfected my gluten-free thumbprint cookie recipe and even my mother doesn’t know they don’t have gluten in them. These are the best gluten-free thumbprint cookies you will ever taste!
Disclaimer: Thumbprint cookies made with jelly centers are just gross and should never be eaten. I make my thumbprint cookies with an icing center and they are not only beautiful, but they are also tasty!
WHEN TO SERVE THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE THUMBPRINT COOKIES
These cookies are great all occasion cookies. Because you can tint the icing any color you need or want, they are excellent cookies for wedding cookie tables (if you haven’t heard of this, it is a Youngstown, Ohio-Pittsburgh, PA thing), Christmas, Easter, Graduation parties, or even just because.
I have a son who doesn’t particularly like birthday cake, and I made these gluten-free thumbprint cookies for his birthday in place of cake.
These popular cookies are a favorite Christmas cookie for my family. They stand out on a tray of festive cookies during the holiday season and are always the first ones to go.
TIPS FOR MAKING DELICIOUS GLUTEN-FREE THUMBPRINT COOKIES
- I use King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour
- Only use butter for the cookies and for the icing. Do not substitute margarine unless you cannot eat dairy.
- Allow to cool completely before icing thumbprint cookies
- Press your thumb in the thumbprints before they go in the oven and again when they come out. Be careful you do not burn your thumb.
- Take out the butter, place in a large bowl, and allow to soften before mixing ingredients.
- If you do not have a nut grinder, grind the walnuts in a blender.
- Use real vanilla extract instead of imitation. The taste is worth it.
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The Icing for the Best Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
When making the thumbprint icings, you want it to be stiff enough to keep it’s shape, but you also want the buttercream icing to be tasty! While I generally pipe my icing onto the cookies, I sometimes just use an icing spreader to put it on – this is mostly when I want to eat a cookie in a hurry!
I found a single tip (see Amazon link) with 3 icing bags that allows you to have three separate colors. This item is fantastic. I am so thrilled that I bought it.
I have filled a piping bag with a lighter color icing, such as green. Then I fill about half the cookies. I do not empty the bag and then I put a darker color in the bag. As you can see from the photo on the right, this results in a gradual change of icing with some of the cookies having multi-colored frosting.
Suggestions for Variations :
Roll thumbprint cookies in crushed pecans. Add maple syrup (or maple syrup extract to the icing for a fantastic fall taste.
Don’t roll cookies in nuts for a shortbread cookie taste.
If you are going to use jam or jelly, use your favorite jam flavor. Consider using homemade jam. Flavor combinations: Apricot Jam with Pecans, Blueberry Jam with a smidgen of sweet cream icing for a bluerries and cream experience. Strawberry jam with no nuts.
Omit the nuts and add lemon extract and lemon zest in the cookies and fill with orange marmalade for delicious cookies in the hot days of summer.
Add almond extract to the cookie dough and the icing. Another great way to enhance the almond taste is with almond flour.
Add peanut butter to the cookies and fill with your favorite peanut butter and jelly filling.
For a Pina Colada cookie, use coconut oil and coconut flour (remember to add extra liquid or use considerably less flour as coconut flour absorbs liquid and produces a dryer product). Add rum extract to the cookie dough. Roll in shredded coconut and fill with pineapple icing.
Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies:
After baking, allow cookies to come to room temperature before icing.
Use parchment paper or silicone baking sheets to ensure cookies do not stick to your baking sheets.
Store cookies in an airtight container. These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months without compromising the flavor.
Many times, I do not have enough egg whites to roll all the balls. (If I am making small balls I will run out). I save the additional egg yolks for lemon curd.
While I always hand-roll these treats, I have considered getting a small cookie scoop. I know many people that use them with great results.
Other Fantastic Gluten-Free Recipes
Best Gluten-Free Soft Sugar Cookies
Gluten-Free Pie Crust
Best Gluten Free Pizzelles
The Best Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Thumbprint Cookies
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar firmly packed
- 1 cup Butter softened
- 2 Egg separated
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour Kin
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 cups ground walnuts
Buttercream Icing
- 1 cup Butter
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4-6 TBSP Heavy Whipping Cream
- 6 cups Powdered Sugar
- food coloring
Instructions
Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream softened butter and brown sugar together. Separate eggs and set aside the whites. Add the yolks from the eggs to the butter/sugar mixture and mix. Add vanilla extract, salt, and gluten-free flour and mix with a spoon until the dry ingredients are blended. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Beat egg whites slightly. Drop cookie dough balls into egg whites, and then transfer them into ground walnuts. Roll ball until coated. Place on cookie sheet approximately 2 inches apart. Before placing in oven, place your thumb in the center of each cookie and press until flattened. Bake for 10 minutes. After removing from oven, , push your thumb into the cookie again. These cookies are fragile until they are cooled.
Buttercream Icing
- Mix together softened butter and vanilla at medium speed. Mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Gradually add the heavy cream between the cups of powdered sugar. Once all the ingredients are blended, add drops of food coloring until the desired color is achieved. Beat on high speed 2-3 minutes until frosting is fluffy. Decorate cooled cookies with buttercream icing. Enjoy!
Reviewing movies for parents from a Christian perspective since 2005. Know Before You Go!
Christian Homeschooling mom – 30 years and counting
Autism Mom & Disney enthusiast
