We had a babysitter named Mrs. Jordan when I was young. She was a fantastic baker who used to make all sorts of tasty things for us. I particularly remember her making these cookies for us some afternoons. It seemed like such a fun process as a child-rolling the balls of dough in nuts, making the depression in them with our thumbs. . . then after they came out of the oven spooning homemade raspberry jelly inside.
It was a craft project and snack all in one. Even more than that~they were delicious!
Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 C Flour
- 2/3 C Butter
- 1/2 C Brown Sugar
- 2 eggs divided-yolks & whites
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 C Chopped Nuts Walnuts, Peanuts etc
- 1/2 C Jam or Jelly
Instructions
-
Beat butter in a mixing bowl till soft
-
Add 3/4C of the flour, brown sugar, egg yolks and the vanilla and mix well.
-
Mix in remaining 3/4 C flour.
-
Chill dough 1 hour.
-
When you remove dough from the fridge, heat oven to 375 and grease a cookie sheet.
-
Shape into balls (1") and roll in beaten egg whites, then in the chopped nuts.
-
Place 1" apart on cookie sheet and press down centers with your thumb.
-
Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.
-
Cool completely then fill centers with jam or jelly of your choice.
Variation:
-
Skip the nuts.

This looks delicious! But I need to find a substitute for raspberry since people here at our house are not fans. Probably pineapple jelly/jam?
I have a good friend who makes a similar cookie and uses apple jelly.