Italian Nutty Joy Thumbprint Cookies
These delightful Italian Thumbprint Cookies bring back cherished memories of my childhood, where my mom lovingly prepared them for festive occasions. Infused with rich flavors from almond and vanilla extracts, these buttery cookies are rolled in crunchy walnuts and filled with your favorite jam or topped with a cherry or a Hershey's kiss. Perfect for holiday cookie trays, these cookies are not only delicious but also a treat for the eyes, utilizing vibrant colors from maraschino cherries or chocolate kisses. Each bite offers a balance of sweetness and nuttiness, making them an irresistible addition to any gathering.
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sugar
3/4 cup (Granulated)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Table salt)
Margarine
3/4 cup (Softened)
Egg Yolks
2 (Lightly beaten)
Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon (Pure or imitation)
Almond Extract
1/2 teaspoon (Pure or imitation)
Flour
2 cups (All-purpose)
Egg Whites
2 (Whipped until frothy)
Chopped Walnuts
1-2 cups (Finely chopped)
Jelly or Jam
To fill (Any flavor of your choice)
Maraschino Cherries
To top (Drained)
Hershey's Kisses
To top (Unwrapped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened margarine and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3
Add the salt, lightly beaten egg yolks, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed mixture, and mix until thoroughly combined.
4
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
5
Roll the dough into approximately one-inch balls and set aside.
6
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy.
7
Dip each dough ball into the frothy egg whites, allowing any excess to drip off, then roll the balls in the chopped walnuts to coat them evenly.
8
Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Press a deep thumbprint into the center of each ball.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
10
While the cookies are still warm, fill the thumbprints with your choice of jelly or jam. Alternatively, you can press a maraschino cherry or a Hershey's kiss into each thumbprint for added flavor and decoration.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Italian Nutty Joy Thumbprint Cookies?
These are buttery, nutty cookies rolled in walnuts and filled with jam, cherries, or chocolate kisses, often served during festive occasions.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
What is the first step in mixing the dough?
Cream together the softened margarine and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
While the recipe specifies margarine, you can typically substitute it with softened butter for a richer flavor.
What flavorings are used in the dough?
The dough is flavored with both vanilla extract and almond extract.
How many egg yolks are needed for the dough?
The recipe requires two lightly beaten egg yolks.
How do I incorporate the flour?
Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
What size should the cookie balls be?
Roll the dough into balls that are approximately one inch in diameter.
What is the purpose of the egg whites in this recipe?
The egg whites are beaten until frothy and used as a coating to help the chopped walnuts stick to the dough balls.
How do I apply the walnut coating?
Dip each dough ball into the frothy egg whites, let the excess drip off, then roll them in chopped walnuts.
What kind of nuts work best?
Finely chopped walnuts are recommended for the classic Nutty Joy flavor.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the sheet?
Space the dough balls about two inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
When do I make the thumbprint indentation?
Press a deep thumbprint into the center of each ball before placing them in the oven.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are done?
The cookies are finished when the edges are lightly golden.
When should I add the jam or jelly filling?
Fill the thumbprints with jelly or jam while the cookies are still warm from the oven.
What are some alternative toppings besides jam?
You can press a maraschino cherry or an unwrapped Hershey's kiss into the center.
How do I prepare maraschino cherries for the cookies?
Ensure the maraschino cherries are well-drained before placing them on the cookies.
What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour is the standard choice for this recipe.
How many cookies does one batch make?
This recipe yields approximately 24 servings.
Is the salt measurement important?
Yes, one teaspoon of table salt is used to balance the sweetness of the sugar and extracts.
Can I use any flavor of jam?
Yes, you can use any flavor of jelly or jam you prefer.
What makes these cookies look festive?
The vibrant colors of the fruit jams and cherries against the nutty exterior make them very visually appealing.
Can I use imitation vanilla?
Yes, either pure or imitation vanilla and almond extracts are suitable for this recipe.
Do I need to whip the egg whites to peaks?
No, you only need to beat them until they are frothy, not until they form stiff peaks.
What if the walnuts won't stick?
Make sure the dough ball is fully coated in the frothy egg white before rolling it in the nuts.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
They have a buttery, tender center with a crunchy walnut exterior.
Should the margarine be melted?
No, the margarine should be softened at room temperature, not melted, to ensure the right cookie texture.
Can these be stored on a cookie tray?
Yes, they are perfect for holiday cookie trays and store well in an airtight container.