Delicious Holiday Thumbprint Cookies Recipes to Sweeten Your Festivities
- tracylong4
- Dec 3, 2025
- 1 min read
I absolutely love baking during the holidays. There’s a special kind of warmth and joy that only this season brings—the soft glow of lights, the comforting rhythm of familiar traditions, and the aroma of something delicious in the oven drifting through the house. It instantly lifts my spirits.
One of my favorite parts of holiday baking is creating treats that feel indulgent and nourishing. I love discovering healthier twists on classic recipes so I can enjoy every bite without the heaviness or guilt that sometimes tags along with traditional sweets. Having these nutrient-rich options on hand makes it easier to stay balanced while still savoring all the magic this season offers.
Most evenings, you’ll find me cozied up next to our little decorated Christmas tree, hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea or hot chocolate. Add a soft blanket, twinkling lights, and a plate of my homemade thumbprint cookies—and it becomes the perfect holiday moment. These cookies, with their buttery crumble and jewel-like jam centers, disappear faster than I can bake them. They’re a staple in our home this time of year.
I’m excited to share this adapted recipe with you—gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and absolutely delicious. Whether you have dietary needs or simply enjoy a healthier take on holiday favorites, these cookies are a festive way to treat yourself with intention. I hope they bring as much sweetness, comfort, and joy to your season as they do to mine.
Enjoy every cozy bite.
1
Searing the Beef
Sear beef fillets on high heat for 2 minutes per side to form a golden crust. Let it cool before proceeding to keep the beef tender.
2
Mushroom Duxelles
Cook the mushrooms until all moisture evaporates to prevent soggy pastry. Aim for a thick, paste-like consistency.
3
Puff Pastry Handling
Keep the puff pastry cold to avoid softness. Chill if it becomes too soft, and score the top lightly without cutting through.
Notes
1
Preheat the oven to 350' F. and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
2
Place the pecans and oats in the bowl of the food processor and process until coarsely ground.
3
Transfer to a medium sized bowl and add the rest of the ingredients, except the jam. Stir until combined. If the cookie dough feels too sticky to roll into balls add a bit more almond flour. You should be able to roll the mixture into walnut sized balls.
4
Once combined roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Hint- if the mixture is sticking to your hands it can help to wet your hands before rolling into balls. Once balls are formed press your thumb gently into the center of each ball to create an indentation. Spoon a teaspoon of jam into each cookie.
5
Bake until golden brown around and just firm around the edges about 15-20 minutes. They will continue to harden a bit as they cool. Once removed from the oven let them cool on a wore rack. At this point you may be tempted to eat right out of the oven, they will be delicious, just be warned that jam is hot. I may have burned myself a time or two by not being patient enough for these yummy treats to cool.
Instructions
1 Cup Pecans
1 Cup Organic Gluten Free Oats
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 Cups Almond Flour
1/2 Cup Avocado Oil or Melted Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
1/4 tsp Fine Grain Sea Salt
Holiday Thumbprint Cookie
Holiday Thumbprint Cookies
Tracy Long
These easy and delicious thumbprint cookies are a staple at our house during the holidays. We always have a batch prepared. They come together quickly and are perfect for an afternoon sitting by the tree or sharing with friends. This recipe was adapted from a Whole Foods thumbprint cookie recipe. I wanted to make it gluten free and a paleo friendly.
Servings :
8
Calories:
calories / Serve
Prep Time
10 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Rest Time
5 min
Total Time
30 min
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