Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies: A Sweet and Tangy Delight
Thumbprint cookies are a classic treat, beloved for their soft, buttery texture and delightful little jam-filled centers. This recipe elevates the humble thumbprint by incorporating cream cheese into the dough, resulting in a richer, more tender cookie that practically melts in your mouth. The apricot filling adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy cookie base, creating a truly irresistible combination. Get ready to bake a batch of these apricot cream cheese thumbprints – they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love These Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
* **Soft and Tender:** The cream cheese in the dough makes these cookies incredibly soft and tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
* **Rich and Buttery:** The combination of butter and cream cheese creates a rich, buttery flavor that’s simply divine.
* **Sweet and Tangy:** The apricot filling provides a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess, cutting through the richness of the cookie.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive taste, these cookies are surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a special occasion, or simply a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to impress.
* **Customizable:** Easily swap out the apricot jam for your favorite flavor like raspberry, strawberry, or even lemon curd.
Ingredients You’ll Need
**For the Cookies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
**For the Filling:**
* 1/2 cup apricot jam or preserves
* (Optional) 1 tablespoon apricot brandy or orange juice (for thinning the jam)
**Equipment:**
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Small spoon or melon baller
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect apricot cream cheese thumbprint cookies every time:
**Step 1: Cream Together Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugars**
* In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can also use a sturdy spoon and some elbow grease.
* Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl and continue to cream until well combined and the mixture is light and airy. Scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally will ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
**Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla Extract**
* Add the egg yolk to the creamed mixture and beat until fully incorporated. The egg yolk adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
* Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best results.
**Step 3: Gradually Add Flour and Salt**
* In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. This ensures the salt is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Mix until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks remain.
**Step 4: Chill the Dough**
* Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it into a disc. This will help it chill more evenly.
* Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps develop the flavors.
**Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.
**Step 6: Shape the Cookies**
* Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.
* Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. You can use a small cookie scoop to ensure uniform size.
* Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
**Step 7: Make the Thumbprints**
* Use your thumb (or the back of a small spoon or melon baller) to make an indentation in the center of each cookie. Be careful not to press all the way through the dough.
**Step 8: Prepare the Apricot Filling**
* In a small bowl, stir together the apricot jam or preserves. If the jam is too thick, you can thin it with a tablespoon of apricot brandy or orange juice. This will make it easier to fill the cookies.
**Step 9: Fill the Cookies**
* Spoon a small amount of apricot filling (about 1/4 teaspoon) into the indentation of each cookie. Be careful not to overfill the cookies, as the filling may spread during baking.
**Step 10: Bake the Cookies**
* Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them.
**Step 11: Cool and Enjoy**
* Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Once the cookies are completely cooled, they are ready to enjoy! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips for Perfect Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
* **Use Softened Butter and Cream Cheese:** Make sure your butter and cream cheese are properly softened before creaming them together. This will ensure a smooth and creamy dough.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps develop the flavors.
* **Use a Small Spoon or Melon Baller:** Use the back of a small spoon or a melon baller to make uniform indentations in the center of each cookie.
* **Don’t Overfill the Cookies:** Overfilling the cookies can cause the filling to spread during baking, resulting in messy cookies.
* **Bake Until Lightly Golden Brown:** Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers should still be slightly soft.
* **Let Cool Completely:** Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.
* **Variations** Experiment with different jams and fruit preserves. Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, or even lemon curd would be delicious alternatives.
Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookie Variations
* **Different Jam Flavors:** As mentioned above, feel free to experiment with different jam flavors. Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, or even lemon curd would be delicious alternatives to apricot.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts to the dough for added texture and flavor. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds would all be great choices. You can also roll the dough balls in chopped nuts before making the thumbprints.
* **Glaze:** Drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. This will add a touch of sweetness and make them even more visually appealing.
* **Chocolate Drizzle:** Drizzle the cooled cookies with melted chocolate for a decadent treat. White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate would all be delicious.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the dough for a warm and cozy flavor.
* **Citrus Zest:** Add the zest of a lemon, orange, or lime to the dough for a bright and refreshing flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Apricot cream cheese thumbprint cookies are perfect for:
* **Holiday gatherings:** These cookies are a festive and delicious addition to any holiday dessert table.
* **Parties:** They’re a crowd-pleasing treat that everyone will love.
* **Gifts:** Package them in a decorative box or tin for a thoughtful and homemade gift.
* **Afternoon tea:** Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for a relaxing afternoon treat.
* **Dessert:** Enjoy them as a simple and satisfying dessert after dinner.
* **Lunchboxes**: These cookies are a perfect treat to sneak into your children’s lunchboxes.
How to Store Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw completely before serving.
Apricot Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookie Recipe
This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies.
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Chill Time:** 30 minutes
**Bake Time:** 12-15 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Cookies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
**For the Filling:**
* 1/2 cup apricot jam or preserves
* (Optional) 1 tablespoon apricot brandy or orange juice (for thinning the jam)
**Instructions:**
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
2. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl and continue to cream until well combined.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it into a disc. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls.
9. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
10. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
11. In a small bowl, stir together the apricot jam or preserves (thin with apricot brandy or orange juice if needed).
12. Spoon a small amount of apricot filling into the indentation of each cookie.
13. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
14. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
15. Enjoy!
These apricot cream cheese thumbprint cookies are a delightful treat that’s sure to impress. With their soft, tender texture, rich buttery flavor, and tangy apricot filling, they’re the perfect cookie for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible cookies. You won’t be disappointed!