Name: Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 34 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams); ⅔ cup granulated sugar (133 grams); 1 large egg yolk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon salt; ⅓ cup strawberry jam or preserves; ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (85 grams); 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil

Sweet memories collide with a delightful strawberry chocolate thumbprint cookies recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Soft, buttery dough cradles a luscious chocolate center, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

Childhood nostalgia meets gourmet elegance in these irresistible treats.

Baking these cookies feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, comforting embrace.

Each bite delivers a magical blend of rich chocolate and fruity strawberry notes.

Homemade goodness awaits you, with a simple technique that turns ordinary ingredients into extraordinary delights.

Let’s embark on a delicious adventure that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies That Stun

Effortless cookie creation that requires minimal baking skills and delivers maximum deliciousness.
Perfect for kids to help make, with simple steps like pressing thumbprints and drizzling chocolate that transform baking into a fun family activity.
Elegant enough for holiday gatherings, casual enough for weekend snacking, and cute enough to impress guests with minimal effort.
Dough can be prepared in advance and chilled, allowing busy home bakers to plan ahead and enjoy fresh cookies without last-minute stress.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Cookie Base:

Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture. Full-fat, unsalted butter works best.
Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a golden, crisp edge. Granulated white sugar recommended.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness, moisture, and helps bind the dough. Fresh, room temperature egg yolk preferred.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract delivers the best taste.
Flour: Creates the cookie's structure and texture. All-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile. Fine table salt works well.

Filling and Topping:

Strawberry Jam: Provides fruity, sweet center for the thumbprint. Use high-quality, seedless strawberry jam for smooth texture.
Chocolate Chips: Creates a delicious drizzle topping. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips recommended for depth of flavor.
Coconut Oil: Helps chocolate melt smoothly and provides glossy finish. Refined coconut oil has neutral taste.

How to Bake Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture. Introduce egg yolk and vanilla extract, stirring until perfectly combined. Gradually fold in flour and salt, creating a tender, supple dough that promises delightful cookies.

Step 2: Chill and Relax the Dough

Encase the dough in plastic wrap, tucking it into the refrigerator for a cool rest between 30 minutes to an hour. This crucial pause allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to shape into delectable morsels.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Warm up the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal. Roll the chilled dough into adorable one-inch spheres, positioning them generously across the baking surface. Using your thumb or a small spoon, create a cozy indentation in each cookie’s center.

Step 4: Jam and Bake

Gently nestle strawberry jam into the heart of each cookie:

Fresh strawberry jam
Homemade preserves
Store-bought strawberry spread

Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the oven, baking for 12-14 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Chocolate Finale

Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave:

Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Dark chocolate chips
Milk chocolate chips

Stir in 20-second intervals until silky smooth. Drizzle the molten chocolate across the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Let the chocolate set completely before serving these irresistible treats.

Secrets for Better Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Prevent Dough Stickiness: Chill the dough thoroughly to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies every time.
Customize Jam Filling: Swap strawberry jam with raspberry, apricot, or any favorite fruit preserve to create unique flavor variations that suit your taste preferences.
Master the Thumbprint Technique: Press gently but firmly when creating cookie indentations to avoid cracking, using the back of a rounded measuring spoon for uniform wells.
Control Chocolate Drizzle: Use a fork or small squeeze bottle for precise chocolate drizzling, creating elegant patterns that look professionally decorated without mess.
Temperature Matters: Allow cookies to cool completely before adding chocolate drizzle to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp chocolate design that sets beautifully.

Keep Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Fresh

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for maximum freshness.
Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300F for 35 minutes to restore crisp edges and soft center. Microwave for 1015 seconds if you prefer a quicker method, but texture might slightly change.
If chocolate becomes hard after storing, briefly warm the cookies to soften the drizzle or gently reheat chocolate for re-drizzling.

Drinks and Treats That Pair with Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprints

Select sweet, fruity dessert wines like Moscato d'Asti or Ruby Port that complement the strawberry and chocolate flavors, enhancing the cookie's delicate sweetness.
Brew a rich, smooth cappuccino with velvety milk foam to balance the cookie's richness and provide a warm, comforting contrast to the sweet strawberry and chocolate notes.
Serve alongside light, floral teas like Earl Grey or Chamomile, which offer a delicate backdrop that won't overpower the cookie's subtle flavors and intricate design.
Choose a chilled, slightly sweet sparkling rosé that mirrors the strawberry's fruity essence and cuts through the chocolate's richness, creating a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Flavor Swaps for Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Gluten-Free Variation: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
Vegan Cookie Swap: Substitute butter with coconut oil, egg yolk with flax egg, and use dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version.
Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar and sugar-free strawberry preserves to reduce overall sugar content.
Almond Flavor Boost: Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the dough and swap strawberry jam with raspberry preserve for a nutty, fruity profile.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.

How do I know when the cookie dough is properly creamed?

The butter and sugar mixture should look light, fluffy, and pale yellow. It should increase in volume and appear almost whipped, which takes about 2-3 minutes of mixing.

What if my thumbprints crack while making the indentation?

If the dough cracks, it might be too cold or dry. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften, or gently smooth the cracks with your fingers while creating the thumbprint.

Can I use a different type of jam for the filling?

Absolutely! While strawberry jam works perfectly, you can experiment with raspberry, apricot, or even mixed berry jam to create different flavor profiles for your cookies.

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Fusion Cuisine Development
Recipe Development and Food Styling
Culinary Writing and Content Creation
Nutrition and Healthy Cooking

Education

Culinary Institute of America

Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation.

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression.

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

Sweet Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe for Bakers

Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies That Stun