Roasted-Almond Thumbprints

Name: Roasted-Almond Thumbprints
Total time: 39 min
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ cups unsalted roasted almonds; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoons kosher salt; 1 cup unsalted butter; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup coarse sanding sugar; ½ cup jam or lemon curd

Classic thumbprint cookies made with roasted almonds and filled with your choice of jam or lemon curd. These buttery, nutty cookies feature a crisp exterior rolled in sugar and a tender center with a sweet filling.

24 servings

39 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•1½ cups all-purpose flour
•1½ cups unsalted roasted almonds
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•½ teaspoons kosher salt
•1 cup unsalted butter
•½ cup granulated sugar
•1 large egg
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•½ cup coarse sanding sugar
•½ cup jam or lemon curd

Cooking Instructions

1.
Place racks in lower and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 375°F. Pulse flour and almonds in a food processor until almonds are very finely ground. Add baking powder and salt and pulse to blend. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients; mix just to combine.
10 min
2.
Place sanding sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop out dough by the tablespoonful and roll into balls (if dough is sticky, chill 20 minutes). Roll in sugar and place on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2" apart. Using your thumb, make a deep indent in each ball. (For more exaggerated cracks, bake dough 5 minutes before indenting.)
15 min
3.
Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until golden, 12-14 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Fill with jam or curd (use a small spoon).
14 min
4.
MAKE AHEAD: Cookies can be baked (but not filled) 2 weeks ahead; wrap tightly and freeze. Thaw before filling. Cookies can be filled 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature.

Cooking Instructions

Place racks in lower and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 375°F. Pulse flour and almonds in a food processor until almonds are very finely ground. Add baking powder and salt and pulse to blend. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients; mix just to combine.

10 min

Place sanding sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop out dough by the tablespoonful and roll into balls (if dough is sticky, chill 20 minutes). Roll in sugar and place on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2" apart. Using your thumb, make a deep indent in each ball. (For more exaggerated cracks, bake dough 5 minutes before indenting.)

15 min

Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until golden, 12-14 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Fill with jam or curd (use a small spoon).

14 min

MAKE AHEAD: Cookies can be baked (but not filled) 2 weeks ahead; wrap tightly and freeze. Thaw before filling. Cookies can be filled 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature.