Thumbprint Cookies are made with a simple German buttery shortbread cookie recipe that's filled with a dollop of jam. In Germany they are known as 'Engelsaugen'.
⅓cuppreserveany flavor (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot preserves are delicious)
Instructions
PREP
Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a baking baking sheet with parchment paper (or a silpat).
Making The Dough
Add flour, salt, powdered sugar, butter, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl.
Knead ingredients into a smooth dough ball. You can do this by hand or start out with an electric mixer. Once the dough begins to clump it's easy to shape it into a smooth dough ball. Chill the dough for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Shape dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
Use the back of a wooden spoon and gently press a hole into each ball (don't pierce all the way through). Use your fingers to shape each hole into a ¼ inch indentation.
In a small bowl whisk your favorite jam (or preserve) until smooth. Fill each cookie with about a teaspoonof jam.
Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit. Transfer onto a wire rack. Let cool and enjoy.
Notes
You can use a stand mixer (or hand mixer) to knead the dough.