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Iced thumbprint cookies close up.

Iced Thumbprint Cookies

These gorgeous cookies are easy to make. They boast a vanilla flavor with sweet, colored icing.
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:12 minutes
Chilling Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 27 minutes
Servings:50 cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies:

  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the icing:

  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • food coloring any color(s) of your choice

Instructions

To make the cookies:

  • Combine the sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and beat until you have a creamy consistency. Then mix in the flour until well combined without overmixing. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to let the dough chill for at least 1 hour.
  • Once chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F and then remove the dough from the refrigerator. Form small balls and place them onto ungreased baking sheets at least 3 inches apart, and then press your thumb into the center of each one to make a thumbprint.
  • Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned and then let them cool to room temperature.

To make the icing:

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar, vanilla, and milk together until smooth. If the icing is too runny, add a bit more confectioners’ sugar. If too thick, add a bit more milk. Mix a few drops of food coloring in until you achieve the color you desire.
  • Once the cookies have cooled completely, spoon the icing into each thumbprint. Once the icing has set, serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Leave the butter out for half an hour before you start. If it’s soft then it will blend better into the dough.
  • If you want to make these extra small, you can use a fingertip instead of a thumb for the indentation.
  • Add a little cocoa powder to the dough if you want to add a chocolate flavor.
  • If you chill the dough for more than an hour, that’s fine, but you might have to roll it in your hands a bit to make it soft enough to shape.

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg