Strawberry Picnic Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Buttery shortbread cookies with a sweet strawberry jam center, perfect for summer outings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 cups all-purpose flour

→ Filling

06 - 1/2 cup strawberry jam, seedless preferred

→ Optional Decoration

07 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Beat in vanilla extract and salt until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add flour to the butter mixture, stirring just until combined into a soft dough.
05 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into uniform balls. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
06 - Using your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon, press a shallow indentation into the center of each dough ball.
07 - Spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam into each indentation.
08 - Bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
10 - If desired, dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
  • Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings
  • Beautiful presentation with minimal effort
  • Customizable with your favorite jam flavors
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • Use seedless jam to ensure smooth filling and prevent seeds from burning
  • Don't overfill the indentations—1/2 teaspoon is plenty and prevents overflow
  • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to prevent breaking
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
  • These cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months
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