Who says baking with kids has to be complicated? These thumbprint cookies with fruit jams are incredibly simple, using just three basic ingredients and your favorite fruit jam to make a delightful treat. They’re perfect for a quick, fuss-free baking session with your little ones—and trust me, these cookies are highly addictive, so you may want to double or triple the batch!

As someone who has baked these with my nephews, nieces, and students, I can confidently say that they’re kid-approved, fun to make, and a great way to introduce young children to baking and the basics of finger and hand coordination. Plus, the use of fruit jams makes this a lighter dessert option that doesn’t rely on chocolate!

Small Batch Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

This recipe makes 2-3 delicious cookies (depending on how small or big the size you prefer), which is perfect if you want a small treat without going overboard.

Ingredients:

• 50g all-purpose flour
• 40g white sugar
• 25g melted butter
• a drop of vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• Fruit jam of your choice (strawberry, apricot, grape, mixed berries, or orange marmalade)

Instructions:

1. Mix the sugar and butter: In a small bowl, combine the white sugar and melted butter. Mix until the sugar begins to dissolve in the butter. You don’t need to fully dissolve it, but give it a good mix.
2. Add the flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour in batches. The mixture will look crumbly at first—that’s okay! Keep stirring and pressing the ingredients together until you can shape the dough into a ball.
3. Shape the cookies: Once the dough comes together, divide it into two equal balls. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
4. Make the thumbprint: Gently press your thumb into the center of each dough ball to create a small indent. This is where the fruit jam will go later.
5. Optional: Sprinkle sugar on top: For a little extra sparkle, you can sprinkle some white sugar on top of the cookies before baking. It adds a nice touch of sweetness and makes the cookies look even prettier!
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the cookies for 10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges.
7. Cool and add fruit jam: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before spooning a small amount of fruit jam into the thumbprint indent. Strawberry jam is always a hit, but feel free to experiment with other jams like grape jelly, apricot, or mixed berries.

Fun Activity: Learn About Hand Parts with Thumbprint Cookies!

This cookie recipe is an excellent way to introduce younger kids to the parts of their hands, especially their fingers. While baking, you can teach them to identify and name their thumb and other fingers.

Here’s a fun YouTube video you can watch with your little ones to learn about the parts of their hands and fingers: FingerFamily Song for Kids

Not only will your kids enjoy making these thumbprint cookies with fruit jams, but they’ll also learn a little something along the way!

Why Thumbprint Cookies Are a Great Choice for Kids

• Simple and quick: With only three main ingredients, these cookies are incredibly easy to make, even for the youngest bakers.
• Sensory play: Pressing their thumbs into the dough helps kids develop fine motor skills and learn about the different parts of their hands.
• Fruit jam as a sweet option: Unlike chocolate-heavy desserts, using fruit jams offers a lighter, more refreshing sweetness. Plus, kids get to experiment with different flavors, from classic strawberry to fun options like orange marmalade!
• A creative touch: Let your little ones choose their favorite jams and have fun decorating their cookies. Each cookie becomes a unique creation.

Big Batch Thumbprint Cookies Recipe (24 Cookies)

If you’re ready to make a larger batch (and trust me, you’ll want to!), here’s how you can scale up the recipe for 24 cookies.

Ingredients:

• 600g all-purpose flour
• 480g white sugar
• 300g melted butter
• Your choice of fruit jams

Instructions:

1. Follow the same steps as the small batch recipe, adjusting the ingredient quantities to fit the larger batch.
2. Form 24 dough balls and place them on a large baking tray.
3. Use your thumb to press a small indent into each cookie before baking.
4. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
5. Let the cookies cool and then fill them with your favorite jams.

These cookies also make a wonderful gift. Wrap them up in small bags and tie with a ribbon—they’re perfect for bake sales, party favors, or just sharing with friends and family!

Sugar Crystals: What Makes Them “Prettier”

One of the things I love about these thumbprint cookies with fruit jams is that extra touch of sugar crystals on top. It’s an optional step, but I highly recommend it because it gives the cookies a sparkly look and a little extra crunch.

Whether you go for the added sugar sprinkle or skip it for a more rustic look, these cookies are delightful either way!

Substitute Fruit Jams with Peanut Butter, Nutella, Chocolates and Many More!

If you are looking for variety, these thumbpint cookies are the perfect canvass! Aside from using fruit jams, you can substitute with peanut butter or sunflower butter for that nuttier taste. Another favorite is Nutella or Biscoff cookie butter. You can also substitute fruit jams with melted dark or white chocolates and the list goes on, sky’s the limit!

You can make a big batch and top it off with different flavors so there is something for everyone.

Why Baking with Kids is More Than Just About the Cookies

While the cookies themselves are delicious, the real magic happens in the baking process. Baking with your kids gives you the chance to bond, teach them basic skills, and allow them to be creative. Sometimes, it’s not about making the perfect cookie but about the shared experience of cooking together. As you bake more, you’ll discover what ingredients work best for you and your family. Every batch is a learning experience!

Warning: These cookies are highly addictive! Once you make a small batch, you might find yourself reaching for the ingredients again and again. Feel free to experiment with different jams, sprinkle them with sugar, or even drizzle a little chocolate on top for added decadence.

And remember, don’t worry about getting everything perfect. Just keep baking, keep having fun, and keep making sweet memories with your little ones.

I have tons of small batch cookie recipes! Check out out my S’more recipe here.