Festive Walnut Thumbprint Jam Cookies
These delightful Festive Walnut Thumbprint Jam Cookies are a classic holiday treat, perfect for your Christmas gatherings or any festive occasion. Originating from a treasured Norene Gilletz cookbook, these cookies discard the fuss of rolling in egg whites while capturing a rich and nutty flavor. Soft butter and delicate icing sugar create a beautifully textured dough with finely chopped walnuts, and a hint of almond extract enhances the experience. Finished with a dot of vibrant, fruity jam, these cookies are as beautiful on the plate as they are delicious to eat. Enjoy a taste of nostalgia with every bite!
48
Servings
66
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
walnut pieces
3/4 cup (finely chopped)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (divided)
cold butter or margarine
1/2 cup (cut in chunks)
icing sugar
1/2 cup
almond extract
1/2 teaspoon
large egg
1
seedless raspberry jam
1/2 cup (or jam of your choice)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2
In a food processor, combine the walnut pieces and 1/4 cup of the flour. Process until the nuts are finely chopped, then transfer the mixture to a separate dish.
3
In the same food processor, add the remaining flour, cold butter chunks, and icing sugar. Process until the mixture becomes crumbly, approximately 10 seconds.
4
Return the walnut mixture to the food processor and add the almond extract and egg. Process until fully combined, around 15 seconds.
5
Use your hands to form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheets.
6
Create an indentation in the center of each ball using the end of a wooden spoon.
7
Fill each indentation with a small amount of seedless raspberry jam or your preferred jam.
8
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
9
Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.85 g
Fat
6.88 g
Carbs
0.9 g
Protein
0.25 g
Fiber
3.44 g
Sugar
7.92 mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Walnut Thumbprint Jam Cookies?
They are a classic holiday treat featuring a rich, nutty walnut dough filled with a dot of vibrant fruit jam, based on a Norene Gilletz recipe.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 48 servings.
What is the calorie count per cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 66 calories.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
The instructions recommend lining the cookie sheets with parchment paper rather than greasing them.
What are the main ingredients for the dough?
The dough consists of walnut pieces, all-purpose flour, cold butter or margarine, icing sugar, almond extract, and a large egg.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to finely chop the walnuts and to mix the dough until it is crumbly and fully combined.
How do I prepare the walnuts for these cookies?
The walnut pieces should be processed with 1/4 cup of the flour until they are finely chopped.
Is butter or margarine preferred?
You can use either 1/2 cup of cold butter or margarine, cut into chunks.
What kind of sugar is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of icing sugar.
How long does it take to bake the cookies?
The cookies should bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are finished when they turn a golden brown color.
What is the best way to make the thumbprint indentation?
Use the end of a wooden spoon to create an indentation in the center of each 1-inch dough ball.
What type of jam is recommended?
The recipe suggests using seedless raspberry jam, though you can use any jam of your choice.
Is there any almond extract in these cookies?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract is added to enhance the nutty flavor.
What is the fat content per cookie?
Each cookie contains 3.85 g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each cookie?
There are 6.88 g of carbohydrates in each serving.
How much sugar is in one cookie?
Each cookie has approximately 3.44 g of sugar.
What is the protein content of these cookies?
Each cookie provides about 0.9 g of protein.
How should I cool the cookies?
Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
How much sodium is in each cookie?
Each cookie contains 7.92 mg of sodium.
What size should the dough balls be?
The dough should be formed into 1-inch balls.
How much flour is needed in total?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, which is used in divided portions.
Does this recipe require rolling the dough in egg whites?
No, this version simplifies the process by omitting the step of rolling dough in egg whites.
Is there fiber in these cookies?
Yes, there is 0.25 g of fiber per cookie.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the culinary work of Norene Gilletz.
Can I use different types of nuts?
While this specific recipe calls for walnuts, you could experiment with other nuts, though it would change the classic flavor profile.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 primary ingredients used in this cookie recipe.
Are these cookies suitable for holiday gift-giving?
Yes, they are described as a perfect holiday treat for Christmas or any festive occasion.
How long should I process the dough once the egg is added?
Process the mixture for about 15 seconds once the almond extract and egg are added.