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These Easy Jam Thumbprint Cookies are crisp, buttery, and slightly chewy, made with just five simple ingredients. They’re gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo-friendly, which makes them the perfect treat for nearly every diet and occasion. Whether you’re baking up a batch for the holidays or need a quick cookie fix, these almond flour thumbprint cookies hit the spot.
This jam thumbprint recipe is an oldie but a goodie — it’s one of the first cookie recipes I ever shared here on Bakerita back in 2014, when I had just arrived in London for my semester abroad! The photos needed a little glow-up (okay, a lot of glow-up), but the cookies themselves are still just as delicious as I remember.
Some recipes just stand the test of time, and this is one of them. If you love a crispy cookie, lightly sweetener with maple syrup to let the jam flavors shine, you’re going to love this one.
Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Vegan Cookies
- Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients
- Ready in under an hour
- Great for holiday cookie trays or everyday treats
- Easily customizable with your favorite jam flavors
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need five pantry staples to make these gluten-free vegan cookies:
- Jam: The star of the show! Use any flavor you love — raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even a homemade chia jam.
- Almond flour: The base of the cookie. It gives a soft, buttery texture and a naturally nutty flavor.
- Coconut oil: Keeps the cookies rich and tender. You can use refined coconut oil for a more neutral flavor or unrefined if you like a light coconut note.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and helps bind the dough. You can substitute honey if you’re not vegan, or try agave syrup for a slightly lighter taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Almond flour: You can use hazelnut flour for a richer flavor or sunflower seed flour for a nut-free option.
- Coconut oil: Swap for vegan butter or avocado oil in equal amounts.
- Jam: Try nut butter (almond or peanut) instead of jam for a fun twist — or even dark chocolate ganache if you want something extra indulgent. See this chocolate almond butter thumbprint cookies recipe if you want to have two types on your holiday cookie platter!
How to Make These Jam Thumbprint Cookies
- Mix the dough: In a bowl, stir together almond flour, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and salt until a dough forms.
- Chill: Let the dough chill for about 30 minutes — this helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Shape and fill: Roll into small balls, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and press your thumb into the center of each one. Fill with your favorite jam.
- Bake: Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10–12 minutes.
- Cool: Let cool completely before removing from the pan (they’ll firm up as they cool).
Baking Tips
- Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps prevent the cookies from spreading.
- Use a small spoon or your thumb to create a deep enough indentation — the jam should remain in place.
- If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, add an extra teaspoon of maple syrup.
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! These cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Absolutely, you can make and refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days before baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just double everything. These tend to disappear fast, so doubling is always a good idea! There’s a button on the right side of the recipe card next to “ingredients” where you can automatically double or triple the recipe.
These gluten-free, vegan thumbprint cookies are the perfect blend of nostalgia and wholesomeness. They’re ideal for the holidays, tea time, or late-night snacking. Whether you stick with the classic jam filling or try something new like nut butter or chocolate, they’re a must-bake for cookie lovers everywhere. Enjoy!!
Want more easy holiday cookie recipes?
Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
6 Ingredient Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies made healthier with vegan caramel, dark chocolate & a gluten-free paleo shortbread cookie base! Perfect for the holidays or whenever you have a cookie craving!
Vegan Almond Crescent Cookies
These Vegan Almond Crescent Cookies are crispy, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar for a cookie that’s perfect for serving with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa!
Gluten-Free Vegan Jam Bars
These Gluten-Free Vegan Jam Bars are made with a scrumptious oatmeal crumble crust that doubles as a crumb topping and a thick layer of jam in the middle. They’re the perfect easy, vegan holiday dessert.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies (GF, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup blanched almond flour
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup refined sugar-free fruit jam or preserves, I used my Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Jam
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients except for the jam and shape into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
- Preheat oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking sheet.
- Form 15 balls from the dough. Make an imprint in the center of each cookie with your thumb and fill each imprint with jam.
- Bake for 10 minutes for until light golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Recipe adapted from The Honour System
I have so much jam at home, and now I know just what to do with it. Also, don’t you think that HIMYM has been kinda sucking lately?
I honestly haven’t been keeping up with this most recent season, but I’ve heard that from a lot of people!! So disappointing :(
I’m sure you’ll find your niche once you’ve settled in. Hope you feel better soon! Mmm, cookies. :)
I hope you feel better soon! Have a blast in London! My husband went there a few years ago and had a blast! I can’t wait to go back! BTW..I can’t believe that their are only 4 ingredients in these cookies. Pinned! :)
Thanks for the well wishes and the pin, Christina! :)
I hope you are feeling better and finally get to start enjoying London. These cookies look outstanding. Love how easy they are to make!
Oh, girl…I just love this cookie recipe! Last year, I did a double thumbprint heart jam cookie that is paleo and vegan for Valentine’s Day. Now, I can’t wait to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
These look so good – and I can’t believe they are vegan and gluten free! What a great recipe!!
These look superb! So golden and buttery – without *actually* being buttery of course. And I love that they only have four ingredients.
Sounds like you are having a blast in London (except for the getting sick part). Keep it up – the fun, not the sick! ;)
I hope you feel better by now Rachel!! Also happy to hear you are enjoying London; that’s lovely! These thumbprint cookies are THAT easy?? I’m literally scrambling to see if I still have almonds left! Love how these look!
haha, modules is the coolest word. I’d totally rather go to them than classes ;)These thumbprints sound great, GF or not!
Hey Rachel! Update: I tried these for my uncle who is GF – he loved them!! Then I made them for my family again later that evening and they also loved them. So did I! P.S. they also taste great with oat flour and honey. Thanks so much for this recipe <3
Hi Jessica! So glad that everyone liked them, and good to know they work with alternate flours/sweeteners. Thanks for trying the cookies! :)