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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 love vegan items..! And these cookies look lovely! They are next up on my list of cookies to try! Thanks for the recipe.
I made these for my GF/Vegan friends. I used your cookie base and then filled it with a fig puree I made and then drizzled chocolate on top YUM. They were divine! Such a simple cookie recipe and it tastes so similar to shortbread. I would add in some salt next time. Thank you!
So glad that you and your friends liked the cookies Natalie!! Your additions sound wonderful. Thanks for letting us know your changes and how it turned out!
Incredible points. Outstanding arguments.
Keep up the good effort.
I made these for an event yesterday (I always like making sure any GF or vegans can enjoy too) and got so many compliments and a few requests for recipes! I’ll be giving you a shout out on my blog http://101threads.com/101-flavors/ and link to the recipe. Thanks!
Thanks Jessica – I’m so glad that everyone loved the cookies!
They look yummy, and I am 5 months pregnant with a choice craving. Can I replace the jam with homemade chocolate hazelnut spread?
Hi Mariuxi, yes you definitely could! That would be delicious :) you may want to bake the cookies sans filling and add the chocolate hazelnut spread after, so it’s still all gooey. Enjoy!
Thumb prints are my mom’s favorite cookie! I really want to make these, they look so good :)
How did you know that jam thumbprints are like my ULTIMATE favorite cookie?? It’s almost embarrassing how many I’ll eat in one sitting—they’re almost too good!! I LOVE this photo update, Rachel! I really just want to grab the whole cookie tray from my screen! ;)
I hope you are feeling better and finally get to start enjoying London. These cookies look outstanding. Love how easy they are to make!
I was leery about these at first, so simple and such few ingredients, so I added an egg, I didn’t think they would stick together, and man, were these good. i doubled the recipe and wow unbelievable. I added some sunflower seeds and crushed nuts as well. addicting cookies for sure and I will definitely be making real soon as they r all gone now, within two days. wow
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed them Karen! They do seem too good to be true, don’t they? And they’re so versatile! Hope you continue to enjoy them and find new favorite combinations :)
Hi. Can I use white rice flour or any other gluten free flour other than almond flour?
Hi Nomsa – I haven’t tried it so I can’t make any guarantees, but a GF all purpose flour should work well.