Name: Thumbprint Cookies – Hallongrottor Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-491716H33M31S
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 200 g Butter (7 oz), room temperature; 265 g All-purpose flour (9.3 oz); 90 g Granulated sugar (3.1 oz); 1 tsp Baking powder; 2 tsp Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract; 125 ml Marmalade or jam (½ cup), preferably raspberry

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Introduction

Thumbprint cookies, also known as Hallongrottor in Sweden, are delightful buttery treats filled with sweet marmalade. Their soft texture and fruity center make them perfect for tea time or festive occasions.

The image shows several small tarts with a light golden crust in colorful paper cups including yellow, blue, and purple. Each tart has a dark red or brown jam filling in the center, topped with a light dusting of white powdered sugar. The tarts sit on a surface with a white marbled texture, and the focus is sharp on the tart at the front, showing its crumbly crust and shiny jam details, while the other tarts in the background are softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

200 g Butter (7 oz), room temperature
265 g All-purpose flour (9.3 oz)

90 g Granulated sugar (3.1 oz)
1 tsp Baking powder

2 tsp Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
125 ml Marmalade or jam (½ cup)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring the butter to room temperature if it’s not already soft.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
Step 3: Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar or extract until the mixture is fluffy and light.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder.
Step 5: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a dough forms.
Step 6: Form the dough into two rolls, each about 15 cm (5.9 in) long. Cut each roll into 30 equal pieces.

Step 7: Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on the sheet. For a neater shape, you can place each ball into a small cupcake liner.
Step 8: Use your thumb or the handle of a wooden spoon to gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
Step 9: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of marmalade or jam into each indentation.

Step 10: Bake the cookies in the middle of the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, until they’re lightly golden around the edges.
Step 11: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 12: Once cooled, dust the cookies with a little powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your Hallongrottor!

Tips & Variations

Try different jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry for a variety of tastes.
Using cupcake liners helps keep the cookies evenly shaped during baking.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of lemon zest to the dough.

Storage

Store the thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature and, if desired, warm briefly in the oven before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up of small round cookies placed on a white marbled surface dusted with powdered sugar. The cookies have a soft, crumbly pale yellow dough forming the outer layer, filled with a deep red, chunky fruit jam with visible seed textures in the center. Each cookie sits in a colorful paper cup liner; the focus is on one cookie in a lavender liner with a bite taken out, showing the jam filling inside. In the background, there are more cookies in yellow and blue liners, slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade jam for these cookies?

Absolutely! Homemade jam works wonderfully and adds a personal touch to your thumbprint cookies.

What can I substitute for vanilla sugar?

If you don’t have vanilla sugar, you can substitute vanilla extract or omit it altogether, though vanilla adds nice aroma and flavor.