Easy Apricot Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Beginners

Baked and shared by Yolandie Olech šŸ’›

These easy apricot thumbprint cookies are buttery, soft, and filled with sweet apricot jam. A simple beginner-friendly cookie recipe perfect for tea time, festive baking, or sharing with family and friends.

These old age apricot thumbprint cookies instantly take me back to baking hundreds of them with my mom—and the joy it brought her to endlessly bake it until perfecting it according to her standards. (she was so determined),Now I’m excited to share my version: simple, nostalgic, and ideal for beginners.

When I was growing up, cookie baking with my mom was never something I thought would be as precious as it feels now, we rolled dozens of thumbprint cookies, with only one working right hand, she somehow always carefully pressed the cookies and filled them with apricot jam centers, always testing little changes—more vanilla, a little more flour, maybe one more or less egg.. She was always chasing the ā€œeven betterā€ bite. Now I’ve taken my memories and continuing to try and live out her unconscious tradition as best I can and put it into this recipe I’m proud to share.

Lets get the ingredients together:

  • 170g All Purpose Flour
  • 30g Cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 120g Butter or Margarine
  • 70g White Sugar
  • 1 Full Large Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1/4 Cup Apricot Jam

Optional Flavoring: You may also use Almond Extract or maybe even a strawberry mixed jam, a great idea might be to use Lemon Extract and pair the filling with some lemon curd even..Please let me know if you think of some alternatives, I would love to hear all your thoughts.

Yield: approx. 18-20 cookies depending on the size you chose
Prep: 20 min (no need to chill) Bake: 15 min at 170° Celsius until light brown under.

Extras Needed:

Hand or Stand Mixer

Baking Paper

Baking Sheet Tins

Your thumb šŸ˜‰ or a teaspoon will do

(remember to always check that you have everything you need to bake before starting)

Now We Can Bake These Delicious Cookies:

Here is your Step-By-Step Instructions:

Clear and concise steps—for beginners:

  1. Cream butter & sugars until light and fluffy, remember to scrape down the bowl as you go on.
  2. Add the dry ingredients, mixing gently until combined.
  3. Add the Egg and Vanilla and fold together until combined.
  4. Fold Together with spoon or spatula until dough just come together.
  5. Use Hand Mixer Until Thick Dough Comes Together.
  6. Roll The Dough with your hands into small balls.
  7. .Preheat oven to 175 °C (350 °F) and line baking sheets with parchment.
  8. Shape dough into 1 Tbsp balls; gently press thumb or spoon into center.
  9. Fill each indent with approx. ¼ tsp apricot jam.
  10. Bake 15 minutes or until light golden on the edges and below.
  11. Cool on the pan 10 minutes, then transfer to rack.

Some Extra Ideas: (let me know yours below)

Freeze extras—store up to 2 months.

Add chopped nuts or sprinkle cinnamon sugar before baking.

Watch the full video tutorial below : make these cookies with me step by step!

If you Like These…You might Also Love The Following:

Orange Glaze Cookies

Orange Swirl Cookies

Did you try them with your family? Drop a review below or tag your creations with #yolandieolech so we can bake together!

Looking Forward to hearing from you and seeing you in my next Post! These cookies are more than apricot and shortbread—they hold laughter, nostalgia, and the spirit of baking side‑by‑side. I hope you’ll make them tonight and enjoy every bite!!

Stay Safe, Stay Strong and Happy Baking

All My Love

Yolandie Olech

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