Description
Delightful Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies blend sweet nostalgia with creamy sophistication. Buttery shortbread nestles tangy cream cheese and bright apricot jam, creating a perfect companion for afternoon tea or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups (313g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Dairy and Fat Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons; 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Flavor and Sweet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Filling and Optional Toppings:
- 6–7 tablespoons (120-140g) apricot jam or preserves
- 3/4 cup (95g) sliced almonds
- 3 tablespoons (23g) confectioners sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for even baking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth and well-blended.
- Gradually incorporate sugar into the cream cheese mixture, whipping until the texture becomes light and airy.
- Add egg, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the mixture, blending thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Shape the dough into small, uniform 1-inch spheres and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Create a gentle indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Carefully fill each indentation with a dollop of apricot jam, ensuring even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, watching for light golden edges as a sign of doneness.
- Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely.
- For an elegant finishing touch, dust the cooled cookies with confectioners’ sugar and sprinkle with delicate sliced almonds.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie structure.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother, more even mixing that creates a silky texture.
- Make uniform thumbprints by using the back of a measuring spoon for consistent cookie indentations.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 137 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 88 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg