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, just 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 and you can mix the batter in a bowl with a wooden spoon. No mixer is required, yeah!
Cookie ingredients
- Butter
- Shortening or Coconut Oil
- 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 baked you may have to make another indent
- Your last step is to add your favorite jam
- All done!
Equipment and ingredients
For small jobs, I still like to use a quick and easy appliance 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.
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Pecan Jam Thumbprint Cookies
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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.
Notes
Nutrition
At some point in my day a good cup of tea is a must and to pair my tea time with these simple and delicious cookies is such a treat.
Elizabeth
These cookies are just so delicious! A great way to use your favorite jam!
Lexa
I felt like homemade cookies last Sunday and came a gross this recipe. We made them with homemade raspberry jam and loved the flavor!
Super easy to make also!
Jere Cassidy
Yum, raspberry is always a good choice. Glad you like them.
Amy B.
My new favorite thumbprint cookie recipe! I had never had thumbprint cookies with pecans before and it was a delicious addition!
michele
This is a perfect cookie recipe for enjoying summer jams! I used peach jam and they were sooo good.
Jeannie
This is a little similar to our chinese thumb cookies I should try this too. I love easy cookies.
Pawbeans
I used a mix of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar instead of regular brown sugar, and iodine free salt. Also added three minutes to bake time and used 1/2 pecans 1/2 walnuts. This recipe was my favorite so far. Thank you thank you
Linda
Wonderful flavor. I did have to increase the amount of ground nuts to 2 cups. I ran out about half way through the dough.
I was out of pecans so I ground up walnuts and it worked perfectly.
I also like to use different flavored jams to change things up!
Jere Cassidy
Thanks for letting me know about the nuts. I am a big walnut fan too so I will try that. Also, I will adjust the recipe because there is nothing worse than running short on ingredients.
Linda
Not sure why, 1 cup of finely ground nuts were not enough. I ended up using almost 2 cups!
Other than that, they are wonderful.
Beth Neels
Oohh! I love the addition of the pecans to these thumbprint cookies! Such a great texture and flavor! I can’t wait to give them a try!
Dannii
Jam cookies remind me of being a kid! These look great and I love anything with pecans.
Jere Cassidy
I’m a sucker for pecans too, they just add good flavor.
Noelle
How delicious looking, definitely will be trying soon!
Cliona Keane
These look absolutely perfect! Healthy too…what’s not to love?!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I’ve never made thumb print cookies but seeing them rolled in crushed pecans has got me hungry! I’m definitely making these!
Jere Cassidy
I hope you try them, they are kind of fun to make.
Jacqueline Debono
These cookies are so cute! I love the idea of coating them in crushed pecans! I also love apricot jam! Sadly our apricot tree dies as I used to make it a lot!