Sweet Raspberry & Almond Thumbprint Shortbread Recipe

Sweet raspberry and almond shortbread thumbprints dance between crumbly texture and fruity bursts of flavor.

Buttery cookies cradle delicate jam centers with elegant simplicity.

Delightful treats blend nutty almond notes and bright berry essence into one irresistible bite.

Crisp edges give way to tender middles that melt softly on your tongue.

Subtle sweetness and rich undertones make these little cookies perfect for afternoon tea or casual gatherings.

Baking these delicate morsels promises pure comfort and joy in every single crumb.

Ready to transform your kitchen into a haven of delectable magic?

Why Raspberry Almond Thumbprints Are Irresistible

• Craft Gourmet-Style Cookies: Create professional-looking shortbread cookies that taste like they're from a high-end bakery with simple home techniques.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Perfect for afternoon tea, elegant gatherings, or a sweet weekend treat that impresses family and friends with minimal baking skills required.
• Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful combination of buttery, crumbly shortbread base with smooth almond filling and fresh, juicy raspberries that provide multiple flavor and textural layers.
• Customize with Ease: Swap raspberries with other seasonal fruits like blueberries or strawberries, or experiment with different nut fillings to make this recipe your personal signature dessert.

What’s in Raspberry & Almond Thumbprint Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The core structure that provides a tender and crumbly texture for the shortbread.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a smooth, creamy base for the cookie dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture.

• Ground Almonds: Delivers a nutty flavor and adds depth to the almond filling.
• Almond Extract: Intensifies the almond flavor throughout the cookie.
• Fresh Raspberries: Offers a burst of fresh, tangy fruit flavor and bright color.
• Raspberry Jam: Adds extra fruity sweetness and a glossy finish to the cookies.

• Salt, Egg, Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness, helps bind the ingredients, and provides structure to the almond filling.
• Powdered Sugar (for dusting): Creates a light, elegant finish and adds a touch of sweetness to the completed shortbread.

How to Bake Raspberry Almond Cookies Right

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Whip Butter And Sugar

Use an electric mixer to blend butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light with a creamy texture.

Step 3: Create Soft Dough

Gently sift flour and salt into the butter mixture, stirring until a soft, smooth dough forms without overmixing.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small, consistent round balls and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: Make Thumb Impressions

Press a gentle indentation into the center of each dough ball using your thumb, being careful to keep the edges intact.

Step 6: Craft Almond Filling

• Ground almonds
• Almond extract
• Egg
• Granulated sugar

Whisk these ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 7: Fill Cookie Centers

Carefully spoon the almond mixture into the thumb-pressed dough depressions, ensuring even distribution.

Step 8: Bake Shortbreads

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie edges turn golden and the filling sets.

Step 9: Cool Cookies

Transfer the baked shortbreads to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 10: Add Fresh Raspberries

Gently press fresh raspberries into the almond filling of each cooled shortbread cookie.

Step 11: Drizzle Raspberry Glaze

Heat raspberry jam until slightly warm and drizzle sparingly over the placed raspberries.

Step 12: Finish With Powdered Sugar

Lightly dust the completed shortbread cookies with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant touch.

Tips for Pretty, Jam-Filled Thumbprints

• Protect Cookie Edges: Gently press thumb into dough balls to create wells without cracking the delicate shortbread sides.
• Control Filling Amount: Use a small spoon to add almond mixture, preventing overflow and ensuring even distribution.
• Check Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely around 12-minute mark to avoid over-browning, as ovens vary in temperature.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Select high-quality raspberry jam and fresh raspberries for richer, more vibrant taste profile.
• Cool Completely: Allow shortbread to reach room temperature before adding fresh raspberries and jam to maintain structural integrity.

Variations to Brighten Up Thumbprint Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Surprise: Replace raspberries with mini chocolate chips in the filling, adding rich chocolate flavor to the classic shortbread base.
• Lemon Lavender Dream: Swap almond extract with lavender extract and use lemon zest in the filling, topped with candied lemon peel for a fresh, aromatic variation.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans into the dough, fill with caramel sauce instead of jam, and sprinkle sea salt on top for a decadent treat.
• Coconut Tropical Escape: Mix shredded coconut into the shortbread dough, use passion fruit jam as filling, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical twist.

What to Serve With Thumbprint Cookies

• Pair Sweet Dessert Wines: Select light moscato or late-harvest riesling to complement the raspberry and almond flavors, enhancing the delicate sweetness of the shortbread.
• Create Coffee Companion: Brew smooth medium-roast coffee or creamy cappuccino to balance the rich buttery cookie and cut through the sweet raspberry notes.
• Match Nutty Beverage Accent: Steep almond milk or prepare chai latte with subtle nutty undertones that mirror the almond extract in the shortbread's filling.
• Elevate Tea Experience: Brew delicate white tea or fragrant earl grey to provide a gentle, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, sweet shortbread cookies.

How to Store Raspberry Almond Cookies

• Store cooled shortbread thumbprints in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep layers separated to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, maintaining their delicate texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to preserve their crisp texture.
• Place cookies in a sealed container with a loose-fitting lid. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consume within 3 days for optimal freshness and crumbly consistency.
• When stacking cookies, insert wax paper or parchment paper between each layer. This prevents raspberry filling from smearing and maintains the cookies' delicate appearance and individual character.

FAQs About Raspberry Almond Thumbprints

• How do I prevent the thumbprint cookies from cracking?

Gently press your thumb into the dough balls with light, even pressure. Make sure the dough is at room temperature and not too cold, which can cause cracking.

• Can I use a different type of jam instead of raspberry?

Yes, you can substitute with strawberry, apricot, or any other fruit jam that complements the almond flavor. Choose a jam with a similar consistency for the best results.

• What's the best way to get a perfect thumbprint indentation?

Use the back of a rounded measuring spoon or your clean thumb, creating a shallow well without pressing all the way through the dough. Smooth any cracks immediately with your fingers.

• How can I ensure the almond filling doesn't overflow?

Fill the thumbprint indentation only about 2/3 full with the almond mixture.

Raspberry And Almond Shortbread Thumbprints Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicate raspberry and almond shortbread thumbprints deliver sweet comfort with buttery, crumbly texture and jewel-like raspberry centers. Delightful cookies blend nutty almond notes and tangy fruit, promising a perfect companion for afternoon tea or elegant dessert gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shortbread Base:

• 225 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 60 g (1/2 cup) powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Almond Filling:

• 60 g (1/2 cup) ground almonds
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) almond extract
• 1 large egg
• 30 g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar

Raspberry Topping:

• 120 g (1 cup) fresh raspberries
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) raspberry jam
• 15 g (2 tbsp) powdered sugar (for dusting)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Sift flour and salt into the butter mixture, gently combining until a soft dough forms.
4. Roll the dough into small, uniform balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Create a gentle indentation in the center of each dough ball using your thumb, ensuring not to crack the edges.
6. Whisk ground almonds, almond extract, egg, and granulated sugar in a separate bowl until smooth.
7. Carefully spoon the almond filling into each thumb-pressed dough depression.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn golden and the filling sets.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Gently press fresh raspberries into the almond filling of each shortbread.
11. Warm raspberry jam and drizzle sparingly over the raspberries.
12. Dust the cooled shortbread cookies with powdered sugar just before serving.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, easy creaming to prevent dense cookies.
• Use fresh, high-quality raspberries for the most vibrant flavor and visual appeal in the final presentation.
• Create uniform dough balls by using a small cookie scoop or weighing each portion for consistent baking.
• Modify the recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg