Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Indulge in these delightful flourless peanut butter thumbprint cookies, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a jiffy. With a rich, creamy peanut butter base and a luscious Nutella center, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, no one will believe these are a naturally flourless dessert!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

• Peanut butter: This creamy base provides rich flavor and texture. Splurge on the best peanut butter, and ensure it’s smooth, not crunchy, for the best results. You can swap in your favorite nut butter or sunflower butter if you want a nut-free option.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps achieve the right consistency for the dough.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor. You can use light brown sugar if dark brown sugar isn’t available.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and add richness. Make sure the eggs are room temperature.
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, adding a warm and aromatic touch. Buy the best vanilla extract if you can; it makes a world of difference.
• Nutella: This perfect filling adds a creamy, chocolaty center to each cookie. You can substitute it with any chocolate spread of your choice.
• Coarse sea salt: Salt adds a touch of savory contrast to the cookies’ sweetness.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the dough

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes.

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.

Editor’s Tip: A paddle attachment in your stand mixer makes this step a breeze.

Step 2: Shape and bake

Drop the dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until the edges are firm, seven to nine minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pans for five minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Use a cookie scoop to achieve uniform dough balls for consistent cookie size.

Step 3: Create indentations

Press an indentation in the center of each cookie with the end of a wooden spoon handle immediately after baking for the perfect thumbprint.

Step 4: Add the filling

Fill each indentation with 1/2 teaspoon of Nutella and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe Variations

• Use dark chocolate: For a richer flavor, use melted dark chocolate instead of Nutella.
• Add favorite nuts: Top the Nutella filling with a small piece of your favorite nut, such as an almond or pecan, for added texture and flavor.
• Use fruit jam: Fill the cookies with jam instead of Nutella to give them a fruity twist. I love how raspberry jam pairs with the peanut butter cookie.

How to Store Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. For optimal freshness, consume within a week.

Can you freeze peanut butter thumbprint cookies?

Yes, you can freeze thumbprint cookies with peanut butter, baked or unbaked. To freeze the baked cookies, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze the cookies, uncovered, for 30 minutes, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. I like to place sheets of parchment or waxed paper in between the stacks to prevent sticking. Thaw the cookies overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

To freeze the cookie dough, portion it into balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the cookie dough balls, uncovered, for 60 minutes, then place them in a zip-top bag. Freeze the cookie dough balls for up to two months, then bake them from frozen, adding any extra baking time as needed.

Tips for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

What can I put on thumbprint cookies instead of Nutella?

For a change in flavor, you can try different fillings, such as fruit jams, salted caramel sauce or even peanut butter frosting.

How else can I use the peanut butter cookie dough?

The dough can also be used to make regular peanut butter cookies. Simply skip the indentation step and bake them as is. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a filling of your choice for a delicious treat.

Why do my thumbprint peanut butter cookies spread so much?

To prevent thumbprint cookies from spreading too much, make sure the dough is properly chilled before baking. Chilling cookie dough helps the cookies hold their shapes as they bake, plus it concentrates the flavor.

How do you prevent thumbprint cookies from cracking?

To prevent thumbprint cookies from cracking, avoid pressing too hard when creating the indentations and ensure the dough is not overworked, which can lead to cracking during baking. If the cookies do crack, try to pinch the dough back together, then smooth it out with cupped hands.