Jam Heart Cookies (Thumbprint Cookies)
Sweet and simple jam heart cookies are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day. The heart-shaped thumbprint is filled with raspberry jam, which complements the buttery shortbread. This quick and easy recipe is one you’ll surely love!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and cookies are one of my favorite things to bake for the holiday of love. These thumbprint cookies have a cute heart-shape in the center that brings a festive touch to your dessert plate. This is an easy recipe that you can customize with your favorite jam. Surprise your partner with a batch of cookies or share them with your friends!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 7 ingredients. This recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
- Cute and festive. The heart-shaped thumbprint adds a sweet touch for Valentine’s Day, similar to these jam tarts.
- Easy to make. The dough comes together in minutes and the shape is easy to make with just a press of your thumb and a dollop of jam.
Ingredient Notes

- Unsalted butter: Bring butter to room temperature before using in the recipe. Unsalted butter is preferred since different brands of salted butter have varying amounts of salt added.
- Sugar: This recipe calls for sugar in the dough and also to roll the cookie dough balls in.
- Egg yolks: Using just the yolks help bind the ingredients while adding a rich flavor.
- Almond extract: For a subtle almond flavor, use almond extract in the dough. Vanilla is a good substitution.
- Raspberry jam: Use jam to fill the thumbprints in the cookies and create a heart! I prefer Bonne Maman.
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Variations
Use different flavor jam. This recipe works with any flavor jam, such as strawberry or apricot. If there are any larger chunks of fruit, remove them for a cleaner finish. You can also make lemon curd thumbprints!
Add a glaze. Whisk together 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2-3 teaspoons milk. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.
How to Make Jam Heart Cookies

- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- Add flour and salt, then mix until combined.
- Roll dough into balls and roll in granulated sugar. Use the back of a teaspoon to gently press a heart shape into the tops of the cookies.
- Spoon jam into the indentation. Place cookies in the refrigerator while the oven preheats to 350 F. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set. Cool completely.
Expert Tips
Use room temperature ingredients. They are easier to mix, which makes a smoother dough. As a result, the cookies have a better texture.
Weigh the flour. Use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measuring. If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level with a knife (don’t pack it down).
Chill the cookies before baking. Popping the cookies into the refrigerator while the oven preheats help prevent the cookies from spreading.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips
Make ahead the dough and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Let the dough sit at room temperature until soft enough to roll into balls.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze dough for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature, scooping and baking. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Wrap stacks of 4 or 5 cookies in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer.
Recipe FAQ
The dough was too warm, which is why I recommend putting the cookies in the refrigerator before baking.
If the dough cracks when adding the indentation, it’s likely that the dough is either not at room temperature or it’s too dry. Be sure not to add too much flour to the dough by weighing the flour with a kitchen scale.
This is optional. It adds a little extra sweetness and sparkle to the cookies, but you can skip this step if your prefer.

Related Recipes
Here are some more love-inspired treats for Valentine’s Day!
Did you love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ๐๐๐๐๐ rating in the recipe card below and if you REALLY loved it, consider leaving a comment further down the page.

Get the Recipe: Jam Heart Cookies (Thumbprint Cookies)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ยฝ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- ยฝ teaspoon almond extract, (or vanilla)
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 2 ยผ cups (281 g) all purpose flour
- ยฝ cup raspberry jam, (any flavor jam or jelly works)
- ยผ cup (50 g) granulated sugar, for rolling cookies in
Instructions
- In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, almond extract and salt. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Add the flour and mix just until combined.
- Scoop a tablespoon of dough and use your hands to roll it into a ball. Roll dough ball in granulated sugar and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Place each ball of dough about 1 ยฝ inches apart from each other on the baking sheet.
- Using your thumb or the back of a round ยฝ teaspoon measure, create two indentations in the shape of a heart in the center of each dough ball. Fill with about ยฝ teaspoon raspberry jam. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. While the oven preheats, place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. This will prevent the cookies from spreading.
- Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.