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    You are Here: Masala Herb Β» Recipes Β» RECIPES

    Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

    Jun 19, 2025 by Helene Dsouza

    24.9K shares
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    Helene Dsouza
    Melt in the mouth lemon thumbprint cookies filled with raspberry jam.
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    30 cookies
    RECIPE
    how to make thumbprint cookies.
    thumbprint cookies

    Melt in the mouth Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with lemon flavor are our favorite cookies right now.

    They are easily made and we get to use up my beautiful raspberry jam.

    classic thumbprint
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    Jump to:
    • πŸ“• What are Thumbprint Cookies?
    • πŸ”ͺ How to make it?
    • 🍱 Storing
    • πŸ“œ Variations
    • πŸ’­ FAQs
    • πŸ‘οΈ Similiar Cookie Recipes
    • πŸ“– Recipe
    • πŸ’¬ Comments

    πŸ“• What are Thumbprint Cookies?

    Thumbprint cookies are called that way because you press into a ball of raw cookie dough with your thumb to create a crater.

    The cookies are then filled with jelly or jam and baked.

    They originated in Sweden, where they are called Hallongrottor, which means Raspberry Cave.

    The classic cookies are flavored with vanilla and filled with raspberry jam.

    Thumbprint cookies are also super popular in neighboring Scandinavian countries, in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Alsace (France).

    We call them Kulleraugen (translated running eyes) in German and my grandmother would make them every year again in Austria before Christmas.

    Original raspberry thumbprint cookies are kind of shortbread cookies. They call MΓΆr or MΓΆrdeg in Swedish and MΓΌrbteig in German.

    I flavor mine with lemon zest or lemon extract instead of vanilla because I think raspberry and lemon is the ultimate flavor combination.

    raspberry thumbprint cookies in a tin bpx

    πŸ”ͺ How to make it?

    You will rejoice because these are the easiest cookies to make out there.

    No rolling out, no shaping and breaking, just pure Christmas baking fun!

    This is a preview on how to make your own batch of raspberry thumbprint cookies from scratch this season.

    Find the complete Recipe with ingredients, detailed instructions, and video in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    Step 1

    Add the flour, powdered sugar and salt to a mixing bowl and combine.

    Make a well in the center and add in the lemon extract, egg yolk, and butter.

    flour egg butter

    Step 2

    Crumble wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

    Combine to a smooth dough and wrap into cling film.

    Place into the fridge to cool.

    thumbprint cookie dough

    Step 3

    Unwrap cold hardened dough and cut into pieces.

    Roll each piece into a small ball and place on a baking sheet.

    chunks of dough

    Step 4

    Make a hole with your thumb into each ball and fill it with jelly.

    Bake your cookies.

    jelly cookies
    lemon raspberry thumbprint cookies

    🍱 Storing

    Keep the cookies out to cool right after baking.

    Line a tin box with parchment paper and place your cookies carefully into the box over each other.

    Place another sheet of parchment paper fitting over the cookies and close with the lids.

    Store in a cool and dry place.

    If your cookies are getting too dry (this happens in a dry and cold environment) then place the peel of an apple over the parchment paper.

    If you live in a tropically hot and humid climate, store your cookies in an airtight container to prevent them from getting soggy and spoiled.

    raspberry filled thumbprints

    πŸ“œ Variations

    Besides Lemon flavored Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, you can make your own by pepping up your flavor options.

    Classic thumbprint cookies are flavored with vanilla extract instead of lemon.

    Switch the raspberry jelly with another jelly over your choices, such as Red Currant Jelly or even Lingonberry Jam.

    You can use other jellies too such as Apple Jelly but I recommend a colorful bright red or pink jelly because your cookies will look all the better.

    Or how about you flavor your dough to your liking by adding one of the following ingredients:

    • Orange Zest or Orange extract
    • Cardamom Spice Powder
    • Bitter Almond Extract

    You can also switch the sugar with a special brown sugar or sugar cane sugar.

    cookies filled with jam

    πŸ’­ FAQs

    Can I freeze the dough?

    Yes, you can freeze your thumbprint cookie dough once you have prepared a smooth dough. Wrap it into cling film and store in the freezer until you intend to use it. Allow thawing completely before using it.

    Why did my cookies crack before baking?

    When pressing into the ball with your thumb, the cookies can crack a bit at the edges (which is normal). To reduce cracking, work with the dough in room temperature (leave it out after cooling for 10-15 minutes) and the more gently you press in with your thumb the fewer cracks will appear.

    Why did my thumbprint cookies spread?

    Thumbprint cookies always spread a bit and that's normal. Yet, there is an amount of normal spreading that occurs, too much ain't good. The cookies are made of butter and sugar and when hot these ingredients get soft. To avoid too much spreading of your cookies, always cool dough first and then shape and bake at the correct temperature at 350 Fahrenheit/ 180 Celsius.

    πŸ‘οΈ Similiar Cookie Recipes

    • Sugar Cookies
    • Linzer Cookies
    • Vanillekipferl
    • Jam-filled Sandwich Cookies by natashaskitchen.com
    raspberry jelly cookies

    πŸ“– Recipe

    how to make thumbprint cookies.

    Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

    Melt in the mouth lemon thumbprint cookies filled with raspberry jam.
    4.82 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Scandinavian
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 30 cookies
    Calories: 125kcal
    Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

    Ingredients

    • 11 ounce All-purpose Flour
    • 3.5 ounce Powdered Sugar (aka confectioners sugar)
    • Lemon Extract a few drops or a pinch of zest
    • 7 ounce Butter
    • 1 Egg Yolk
    • Salt pinch
    • 6 Tablespoon Raspberry Jelly
    US - Metric

    Instructions

    • Place all-purpose flour, powdered sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Combine the dry ingredients.
    • Make a well in the center and add in the lemon extract, egg yolk and butter.
    • Crumble the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients so that your ingredients start to get combined.
    • Continue to combine and create a smooth dough.
    • Wrap into cling film and keep to cool in the fridge. Keep at least 30 minutes to cool so that the dough gets hard.
    • Take out the dough from a cling film and cut into same-sized chunks. Don't make them too large.
    • Preheat oven to 350Β° Fahrenheit/ 180Β° Celsius.
    • Roll each chunk of dough into a ball and place on a parchment-lined baking tray. Keep some distance between each ball.
    • Create a crater with your thumb by pressing into each cookie dough.
    • Fill the cookies with raspberry jelly or jam.
    • Bake at 350Β° Fahrenheit/ 180Β° Celsius.
    • Allow your cookies to cool and store them afterward in a parchment-lined tin box.

    Notes

    I removed cups measurements because some couldn't handle it and didn't get the measurements right (not everybody though). So, I recommend you weigh out your ingredients all the time when you want to bake anything. It's important to be exact when you are baking, it's an exact science.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 125 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 4g20%
    Cholesterol 23mg8%
    Sodium 56mg2%
    Potassium 18mg1%
    Carbohydrates 15g5%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 198IU4%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 5mg1%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    24.9K shares
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    I am Helene, and I created Masala Herb in 2011. Here you will learn to cook with spices and herbs. I share from scratch, international food recipes and my mission is to teach you to cook flavorful food at home. Read More…

    MasalaHerb.com as seen on

    Welcome

    Hi there! I'm Helene and here you will learn how to cook with spices and herbs. Discover global food and learn to season your food like a pro. Read more about my work and mission or head over to my food ingredient space, Unknownbite.com, and our travel space, Paulmarina.com!

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