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These buttery cookies are crisp around the edges, soft in the center and packed with sweet raspberry jam. Toasted hazelnuts give them crunch and flavor that feels cozy and elevated at the same time. You’ll only need a few ingredients and a bit of chill time to make these raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies the standout on any cookie tray. Whether you’re baking for a holiday or just treating yourself, this recipe is always a good idea.
These raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies are rich, nutty and perfectly sweet. They’re buttery with crisp edges and a fruity jam center everyone will love.
Also try lemon thumbprint cookies, jam thumbprint cookies, chocolate thumbprint cookies and strawberry thumbprint cookies.
Why You’ll Love It
Crunchy and soft: These cookies have a nutty coating with a soft buttery middle.
Jam-filled goodness: Each bite has sweet raspberry jam in the center.
Easy to prep ahead: The dough chills well so you can make it in advance.
Great for gifting: They’re pretty, portable and perfect for sharing.
Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies with Jam Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a soft, tender cookie.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps coat the hazelnuts.
Egg: Separates into yolk for richness and white to help the coating stick.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Gives the dough structure and a soft crumb.
Hazelnuts: Bring nutty crunch and a toasty layer to the outside.
Raspberry jam: Adds fruity sweetness and a pop of flavor in the center.
How to Make Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the dough: Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg yolk and vanilla. Mix in the flour.
Chill the dough: Cover and refrigerate until firm.
Prepare the coating: Mix chopped hazelnuts and sugar in a bowl.
Shape the cookies: Roll dough into balls, dip in egg white then the nut mixture.
Form thumbprints: Place on baking sheets and press the centers.
Bake the cookies: Bake partially, press the centers again and bake until golden.
Add the jam: Let cookies cool slightly, then fill centers with raspberry jam.
Substitutions and Variations
Make it gluten free: Use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend instead of all-purpose.
Switch the jam: Try apricot, strawberry or even lemon curd for a twist. Another idea is using Nutella for chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies!
Add jam before baking: If doing this, only fill about three-quarters full in case it bubbles up and overflows. Doing this results in more “baked-in” look but will work.
Use other nuts: Walnuts, pecans or almonds all work well in place of hazelnuts.
Add a glaze: Drizzle cooled cookies with a light vanilla or lemon glaze.
Serving Suggestions
With a drink: Enjoy an iced white chocolate mocha, banana cashew smoothie or cinnamon dolce latte with your cookies.
After a meal: These are a great dessert after any kind of main dish from orange salmon bites to chicken Francese.
How to Store Thumbprint Cookies
Store: These raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Put a slice of bread in there with them to absorb moisture and keep them fresh.
Freeze: You can freeze these hazelnut cookies for up to 3 months in a Ziploc freezer bag or airtight container.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a couple of hours.
Top Tips
Chill the dough: This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Toast the hazelnuts: Toasting brings out more flavor and crunch.
Don’t overfill the jam: A small spoonful is enough so it doesn’t overflow while baking.
Use parchment paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Hazelnut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie FAQs
Yes, the dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days in advance.
Toasting is optional, but it brings out a deeper, richer flavor.
These parchment sheets are so handy for cookie baking. They make clean up a breeze and no sticking to the pan!
This raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookie recipe comes all the way from Scandinavia. From Sweden, in fact. They’re known as hallongrotta in Sweden, which means raspberry cave. Over there, they’re typically shortbread cookies made with flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Raspberry jam is the usual type of jam added to them.
Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Equipment
- Stand Mixer with the Paddle Attachment
Ingredients
- ½ Cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ Cup + 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 egg, separated, whites and yolks lightly beaten
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ Cups all-purpose flour
- ½ Cup hazelnuts, toasted and finely chopped
- 1 Cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add butter and ½ cup sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on medium speed until the dough is pale and fluffy.
- Add the lightly beaten egg yolks and the vanilla. Mix well.
- Reduce speed to low and then add flour. Mix until just combined.
- Refrigerate the cookie dough for 2 hours.
- Stir together toasted hazelnuts and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl.
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Dip the balls in the lightly beaten egg whites, then into the hazelnut/sugar mixture.
- Space the dough balls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Press down the center of each ball with your thumb.
- Optional: If you want to fill the cookies before baking, that's fine, but only fill them about 3/4 full so they don't overflow during baking (I fill mine after).
- Bake cookies for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Press down centers again with the end of a wooden spoon or a small spoon (if not filled with jam).
- Return the cookies to the oven. Bake cookies until golden brown which should be 7 to 10 minutes more.
- Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheets on wire racks. Fill each cookie center with jam and then let cool completely on the wire racks.
Notes
Toast the hazelnuts: Toasting brings out more flavor and crunch.
Use parchment paper: It prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Nutrition
There’s something special about homemade cookies, and raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies deliver big flavor with just a few ingredients. The buttery base and crunchy hazelnut coating give them the perfect texture, while the sweet jam center adds a bright, fruity contrast. Make a batch of these classic thumbprint cookies for the holidays, for guests or just to enjoy something cozy and homemade with your favorite drink.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Recipe indicates to fill in jam after baking. However, in “Notes” comment reads to not overfill as it will overflow durng baking. I am def trying this recipe, just need a litttle clarification ?fill and continue baking or fill after baking.
Thank you
Good catch, I’ll edit the recipe to make it clearer. You can do either one, but adding it before baking makes it more set in and more likely to overflow, while adding it afterwards looks neater. I usually add mine afterwards so they’re more photogenic but if you do want to add it before, only fill the holes about three-quarters full to allow for any bubbling up!
you did a great job, hard to believe you’re only 17!!
The Fashion Matters- Fashion & Travel Magazine
haha, thank you so much! I have heard that before!
Mmm mm good! These look absolutely incredible with the perfect amount of fruit. :]
// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
Thank you Carmen!
Oh my.. These look amazing!! xx
Audrey Adair | https://www.happilyaudrey.com
thank you they sure are great!
These look amazing and your photos are stunning!
https://www.ourlifeisbeautiful.com/2015/07/marathon-training.html
thank you so much!
Yes do try it’s really easy ! Thank you
These look so yummy!
Dresses & Denim
Thank you !