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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 to see a recipe tagged as vegan, and these cookies look baller! Just found your blog, and I hope you’re having a wonderful time in London. I lived there for four months, and I miss it so much! Happy 2014!
These are so cute – and a classic treat!
Hi Rachel! These look delicious–I made something really similar over winter break. For paleo people, St. Dalfour makes awesome all-fruit jams that contain only fruit and fruit juice. Hope you feel 100% soon and get to enjoy more of London!
Thanks for the tip, Becky! :) I’m sure lots of people will appreciate it, and I appreciate your well wishes!
Oh man, getting sick abroad is the worst (and it happens to me every time I go). I hope you’re feeling better soon! And I can definitely see how these cookies would go fast. They look amazing!
These cookies are amazing!! I’m sorry you got sick just after week. But I’m glad you are having a great time, meeting people and exploring will come later.
such amazing cookies…..thumbprints are our weakness and these look so good we just will be finishing off the whole jar of them after we try this out,thanks so much for sharing a delicious vegan recipe :-)
I hope that you feel much better soon! Being sick like that is the worst – especially when no one is around to take care of you!! These thumbprints sound awesome – I love thumbprint cookies … there’s just something about them : )
Yum, these look delicious! Living the fact they’re gluten free and vegan :)
these cookies look great! love the gf and vegan recipe!
Thumbprints are a childhood favorite, always a favorite. Thanks for the happy memories! :)