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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
So easy to make. We quadrupled the recipe and it turned out great. My kids helped me.make them and felt like heroes. Great for my kids with dairy, egg, and wheat allergies. One tip…it really helps to add a pinch of salt to the dough to contrast all the sweet.
So glad you had a fun time making them with your kids, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback :)
I made this recipe a few years ago and it was great
Glad you enjoyed it!
These are so very good!! We made them today but for some reason mine came out flat LOL I will be making more but wanted to see if you had any thoughts on what could cause them to run and go flat?
Hi Christie, was the dough well chilled? Also, was the baking sheet warm when you put the cookies on it? If the sheet was warm, it can make the cookies run more. Without more info it’s hard to know exactly what caused them to be thinner!
Rachel – these are my new favorite cookie recipe. So easy to make. Doubled the recipe, added a few more pinches of salt and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract. No one ever asked if they were paleo, GF or vegan. I’m going to need to make another double batch this weekend. Thank you!
So happy they were a hit, Catherine!! Thanks for the feedback :D
Well I was slightly nervous as none of the reviews say they tried this recipe, only that it looked or sounded so good. Well, I made a double batch and made the cookies slightly smaller than suggested, same cook time, with huckleberry jam. Let me tell you, these were quite a hit at a holiday party that I brought them too tonight. In fact, they were complimented by each person who tried them and there were cake pops and homemade chocolates in competition! Anyway, than you for this very simple and straightforward recipe. I’ll definitely be making these again. Maybe sooner than necessary
So thrilled that they were a hit, and thank you so much for sharing your feedback Sarah!
I do not have almond flour. Would regular flour work if I do not mind them having gluten?
Yes that should be fine :)
These cookies were delicious straight out of the oven.
The next morning, they are very soft and falling apart. Do you have any recommendation for storage? Or maybe I didn’t bake them long enough?
Hi Nikki, did you store them in an airtight container? If they were placed in a container or bag while still warm, the steam would soften them significantly which could’ve caused the issue of them falling apart. If they weren’t crisp at all after their initial cooling, they likely weren’t baked long enough.
Excited to try this but don’t have coconut oil, what would you recommend if I have avocado, olive oil and butter on hand?
Butter would be best since it will help the dough firm up!
these are my new favorite cookie recipe! So easy to make. Doubled the recipe, added a few more pinches of salt and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract
Hello, are these measurements US or UK? Thank you.
My measurements are in US measurements.