This thumbprint cookie recipe with buttercream icing is an extra special treat that freezes well for any time of year.
More Favorite Cookie Recipes: Fresh Cranberry Shortbread, Sugar Cookie Cups, Pumpkin Spice Cookies
My mom used to have us help her with thumbprint cookies when I was a kid.
They are very buttery and are topped with a rich buttercream icing.
It’s a real treat that I continue making to this day for the holidays.
This thumbprint cookie recipe with buttercream icing is an extra special treat that freezes well for any time of year.
The recipe makes a little more than three dozen cookies, depending on how big you make the dough balls.
They need to be rolled in egg whites, then walnuts.
Make sure you chop your walnuts pretty fine or else they tend to fall off.
After 5 minutes in the oven, you take them out and use your thumb to “print” the center of the cookie, thus the name.
However, if your thumb gets too hot, a finger works just as well.
Also, if you’d like you can skip the butter in the icing.
Using just powdered sugar and milk works also, but I like this recipe because it freezes well, and it’s how my mom made them.
You may also like my sugar cookie cups recipe which is great if you are short on time and uses a very similar icing.
Thumbprint Cookie Recipe with Buttercream Icing
Ingredients
- Cookie
- 2 c flour
- 1 c butter softened, 2 sticks
- 1/2 c sugar
- 1/2 t salt
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 c walnuts, finely chopped
- Icing
- 4 T butter, softened
- 1 1/2 c powdered sugar
- 1 T milk
- food coloring
Instructions
- Chop walnuts and place in a shallow bowl.
- Separate eggs and place yolks in a large mixing bowl and the whites in another shallow bowl.
- Combine butter, sugar, vanilla and salt with the egg yolks.
- Gradually add in the flour.
- Using a small cookie scoop or teaspoon make balls of dough.
- Roll each ball first in the egg whites.
- Then roll in the walnuts.
- Place on a cookie tray and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.
- Remove and using your thumb make an impression in the center of each dough then return to the oven for 7-10 more minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- Make the icing by combining all ingredients adding enough milk to give you a smooth, workable consistency. Keep some of the icing white and portion out the rest for as many colors as you'd like and add food coloring. Top each cookie with icing.
- Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies
Notes
This is a good recipe for freezing because the richness of the butter and egg yolk keeps the cookie tasting fresh.
Lisa says
May 30, 2018 at 3:53 pmCan they be frozen with the icing?
Patti Estep says
May 30, 2018 at 3:57 pmYes, they can. Place them in an airtight plastic container and they should keep pretty well because of the high butter content. That being said, nothing tastes as good as fresh same day cookies.
Clarissa says
February 8, 2019 at 2:05 amWhat would you advise if I wanted to freeze them… Would it taste better if I froze the dough then thaw, egg, nut, bake and frost the day of. or just thaw the already frosted cookie the day of?
Patti Estep says
February 8, 2019 at 7:15 amClarissa, I think either option is good. If you are particularly picky about freezing cookies just freeze the dough. However, that leaves you much more work to do when you want the cookies. I will say that this cookie even after it’s baked holds up pretty well in the freezer. I think it’s because they have a higher fat content than a sugar cookie.
Vanessa says
December 14, 2015 at 9:11 amThese are so yummy. I love the almonds in the cookies. I am going to give these a try.
Patti says
December 14, 2015 at 4:47 pmThanks Vanessa but they are walnuts. Still good though. 🙂
Susan M says
December 11, 2015 at 7:59 pmThe old recipes are the best! Thanks for sharing this special family recipe. I’ve never made thumbprint cookies with icing in the center! I’ll have it try it,
Patti says
December 12, 2015 at 6:52 amOh Susan,
You must try them with icing. They are double delicious!