So, it’s a little late. And I’m a little tired. I just cooked my heart and soul out for the ones I love most in this world (sans Mr. Prevention who is back home bringing home the bacon this week). The great thing about teaching is these brief periods of time in which there are no lectures to be planned, no exams to grade, and no whiny student emails to make me want to crawl into a deep, dark hole.
I think I mentioned it a few days ago, but these cookies hold a special place in my heart…and in my very short-term memory (no seriously, for the age of 26, my memory is seriously lacking). I found my lost engagement ring while after making these cookies.
As I was returning ingredients to their rightful home in my kitchen…bam! There it was. My shiny, sparkly, larger-than-I-recall engagement ring.
Phew. Crisis averted.
And while I *may* have gotten a bit picture happy with these guys, that’s the kind of thing that happens when a woman has a few seconds of discretionary time on her hands. See, normally, dinner is hot and I am hungry. That translates to…get’er done. ASAP.
Hense, some sub-par photos at times. Sorry, this woman has needs.
(We all have needs. By 7:45pm on a Tuesday, that need is generally FOOD…fast.)
These cookies were given to me in another recipe swap. I am loving this luck-of-the-draw. So far, so good. I am yet to be at all, whatsoever, disappointed in a swap recipe. These being no exception.
Obviously.
I mean, look at them. All the coconut lovers reading just sighed in agreement.
Yet, after making these Jam Thumbprint Cookies I, once again, have to question my upbringing. Why, oh why, did I live 26 years of life on this earth without a thumbprint cookie?
No. Valid. Explanation.
(MOM???)
Not only are these thumbprint indentations filled with a seedy, fresh jam, but they are also rolled in coconut. And yet, the cookies are still soft, and chewy…just how I like them.
Think: shortbread + jam + coconut.
Did your heart just skip a beat, too?
While I am still trying to work through the angst I now feel towards my mother for my lacking Christmas cookie upbringing, may I strongly, strongly suggest these cookies be added to your holiday cookie line-up?
At just 100 calories and 11 grams of carbohydrate a piece, they’re sure to please anyone…but especially your carb-conscious and diabetic friends and family!
Jam Thumbprint Cookies from Ina Garten, recommended by A Taste of Cooking
3/4 lb (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water, for egg wash
7 oz sweetened flaked coconut
5 Tbsp reduced-sugar jam
Directions:
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add vanilla.
Separately, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the dough starts to come together.
Form dough into a flat disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your thumb. Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation.
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool and serve. Yield: 4 1/2 dozen cookies.
Nutrition Information (per cookie): 100 calories; 5.8 g. fat; 3 mg. cholesterol; 19 mg. sodium; 11.1 g. carbohydrate; 0.16 g. fiber; 1 g. protein
Result: Imagine a soft gingerbread, littered with toasted coconut, and topped with a fresh, reduced-sugar jam. A little bit of “light” and a whole lot of “YUM!” Enjoy!
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I am going to sleep soundly tonight. I can’t even recall the courses I served tonight…but they were amazing. Tomorrow, gym…plenty of gym 😉
P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win Chobani!
XOXO,
Don’t you just love having extra time to cook around this time?! This is my last day of my three days off, and I have already spent way too much time in the kitchen (but I consider that a good thing!).
I can’t even recall if I’ve ever had a thumbprint cookie….they do look DELICIOUS. I would probably fill mine with chocolate though 🙂
Glad you found your engagement ring!!!!
These look fabulous! I agree that thumbprint cookies are just delicious! I have never added coconut, so I will definitely be trying this.
I know exactly what you mean about being hungry and snapping the pictures quickly. One good reason I love taking pics on the weekends..I seem to have more time. 🙂
I used to make thumbprints at a cafe that I worked at in university. We rolled them in ground walnuts but the coconut version sounds great. I like how they sort of melt in your mouth as soon as they tough your tongue. Thumbprints are awesome.
I have to get started on baking my Christmas cookies. I’m going to try these out!
Perfectly made thumbprints! Love the addition of coconut…makes them even better!!!
I’m so glad you liked these. We used to bake hundreds of them to give as gifts. I miss them but I just don’t have time to do that anymore. 🙁 They were ALWAYS a hit.
Thanks for being part of the recipe swap!
Yummy! I love thumbprint cookies(and this reminds me I haven’t made them in FAR too long) and I love coconut, how could I not love these?! Plus, they’re just so cute 😀
I generally make it a habit to stay away from jam and anything of the fruit variety. However… I’d throw some chocolate ganache in there- the combo with the coconut would be FABULOUS…
Love these! Could I possibly use them on Libre’s blog?? Let me know! Thanks 🙂
Author
Absolutely!!
Thumbprint cookies are just so dang cute 🙂 And I love the addition of coconut here!!
Nicole
I’m so sorry you knew not of the wonderful thumbprint cookie!
I married into a family where they are a staple!
My mom in law rolls them in ground pecans instead of coconut and they are to die for!
Let me look for the recipe and I’ll send yet another thumb print you can add to your collection.
And… My English born mom in law uses a thimble instead of her thumb. I have on stashed in my spice/baking cabinet just for these cookies every year!
Hello and hugs for a wonderful holiday! No hosp for me this year! Doing well!
Hi Nicole. ‘ve never seen thumbprint cookies with coconut – come to think of it, I’ve never seen a thumbprint cookie rolled in ANYTHING. Looks wonderful. Glad you made it to Chicago safe and sound. Take care!!!
Yum!! These sound amazing. I always make my Grandpa shortbread cookies for Christmas . . . I think its probably time for a change though. 🙂
Great looking cookies! I never thought to make them with coconut. I guess for me the only coconut cookie I ever think of is macaroons, and that is just around Passover time. I bet these could be adapted to work for Passover too (minus the flour, or subbed in with some kosher for Passover). So so so GLAD to hear you found your engagement ring. That is fantastic news!
These look great! Best part about baking..no matter how many photos, the food won’t be ruined. Perfect excuse for a photoshoot, yea!?