Easy Thumbprint Cookies

This is the easiest way to make a variety of cookies for the holidays — and all it takes is one dough. Use the base and get creative with your fillings: add any extract, jam, sprinkles, nuts, food coloring, whatever!

For peppermint chocolate cookies, I added 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the base dough. I then filled with melted chocolate and crushed candy canes.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter, softened

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Kosher salt

  • Any filling: jam, hazelnut spread, melted chocolate, etc.

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.

  3. Add flour and a pinch of salt and combine until dough forms.

  4. Using a small cookie scoop, add dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently indent each ball with your thumb.

  5. Bake for 11-14 minutes or until edges are slightly golden.

  6. Let cool and fill with any of your preferred filling.

Abby