Pecan Jam Thumbprint Cookies are on my top 10 list of all-time favorites. These little bite-sized jammy cookies have a delicious buttery brown sugar flavor that everyone loves and a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. And for all of you pecan lovers, these cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans and baked to a golden brown to give the pecans that nice toasty flavor.
Sweet and Crunchy
The best part about these little cookies is the jam-filling. You can put any flavor of jam in the middle; use your favorite. Today I used my favorite apricot jam. The sweet and tart apricot flavor pairs well with the pecans.
It doesn't take long to make these cookies; you can mix the batter in a bowl with a wooden spoon. No mixer is required, yeah!
We like these thumbprints for the tangy filling and the crunchy pecans, but try these Raspberry Lemon Cookies for a citrusy thumbprint cookie.
Cookie ingredients
- Butter
- Shortening
- Brown Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Salt
- Pecans
- Jam
This dough is nice and soft, but sturdy enough to roll into balls.
Chopping the pecans really fine makes them stick to the dough easier after you dip the cookies in egg whites. I like using a manual food chopper for quick jobs like this. So much easier than a knife.
The easiest way to make the little indent in the cookie to hold the jam is with the back of a teaspoon. I have a ¼ teaspoon that is deep and leaves a perfect indent. However, since these are called Thumbprint cookies, using your thumb is just as easy.
delicious little bite-sized treats that are simple to make
- Mix the cookie batter dough
- Roll the batter into 1" balls
- Next, roll the balls in egg white - this helps the pecans stick to the balls.
- Finally, roll the balls in finely chopped pecans.
- Make an indent in the cookie with your thumb or with the back of a ¼ teaspoon.
- After the cookies have been baked, you may have to make another indent.
- Your last step is to add your favorite jam
- All done!
Equipment and ingredients
I still like to use a quick and easy appliance for small jobs, and this food chopper works great for the small amount of pecan you need to chop. I like to use pecan halves and chop them myself. Since the apricot jam is the highlight of this recipe, make sure to get a good one. I love copper and these copper measuring spoons add a little bit of pizazz to your kitchen.
More tasty recipes
- For all the pecan lovers, try these Pecan Tassies for your next dessert.
- This Sweet Nut Braid bread has a soft center filling with toasted pecans.
- Try these for your sweetie ~ Valentine's Thumbprint Cookies.
I created this handy link for you to save this recipe to your Pinterest board.
Recipe
Pecan Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ cups shortening
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg separated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup AP, flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cup pecans finely chopped
- ⅓ cup jam use your favorite flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., and prepare sheet pans with parchment.
- In a large bowl mix the softened butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until completely mixed.
- Mix in the flour and salt until combined and the dough holds its shape.
- In a small bowl add the egg white and beat slightly.
- Shape the dough into 1" balls then dip the dough balls in the egg white then roll in the chopped pecans.
- Place the balls 1" apart on the baking sheets then press your thumb or the back of a ¼ teaspoon into the center of each dough ball.
- Bake for about 10 minutes until lightly browned. You may need to re-indent the cookies when you remove them from the oven. Cool completely
- Fill each cookie with jam.
- Store the cookies in anirtight container for several days.
GRETA
OMG, these were so delicious. Literally, I didn't have not even one left for the next day. Everyone loved it. It was a big hit.
Jere Cassidy
I am so glad you liked these thumbprints. They are tasty little treats.
Ksenia
Sweet, yummy, and full of ALL the delicious pecan flavors! I could eat a jar of these cookies all by myself.
Liz
These thumbprint cookies are so good!! I love the pecan and jam combo! will make again!
JD Alewine
Who would've known that pecan jam was SOOOO addictive?