Delicious & Easy Vegan SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies: A Gluten-Free Holiday Treat

Discover the joy of baking these irresistible SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies, crafted with Organic SunButter and your favorite no-sugar-added jam. They are truly the perfect holiday cookie, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures in every bite!

As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves navigating a whirlwind of activities, holiday preparations, and perhaps, a touch of seasonal fatigue. If you’re anything like me, the shorter daylight hours, the festive hustle, and the sometimes unpredictable winter weather can leave you feeling a bit drained, perhaps even dreaming of a tropical escape. It’s a challenging time for creativity, with blank pages and blinking cursors often staring back mockingly.

This year, I’ve made a conscious effort to be kinder to myself, embracing the coziness of the season and letting go of any lingering negative beliefs as we step into 2025. Whether you’re powering through the final weeks of 2024 with boundless energy or taking a more relaxed approach, one thing remains universally true: we all deserve a delicious treat. And what better way to indulge than with a batch of homemade cookies?

That’s where these exquisite SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies come in. They are not just any cookies; they are the epitome of simple, comforting, and utterly delightful baking. Made with creamy Organic SunButter and your preferred no-sugar-added jam, these cookies embody the spirit of the holidays with their wholesome ingredients and nostalgic flavor profile. They are lovingly crafted to bring warmth and joy, transforming any ordinary moment into a special occasion.

These thumbprint cookies are a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a healthier, allergen-friendly alternative to traditional holiday sweets. They are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and most importantly, peanut-free, making them safe for school events, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying at home without worry. The combination of rich SunButter and sweet-tart jam creates a harmonious balance that is truly addictive. Prepare to fall in love with these charming, melt-in-your-mouth delights!

Essential Ingredients for Your SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

Creating these delightful SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to a minimal list of wholesome ingredients. You’ll only need a few key items to bring this recipe to life, making it perfect for both seasoned bakers and those just starting their culinary journey. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Organic SunButter: The star of our show, providing a creamy texture and nutty flavor without any peanuts.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener, adding a subtle depth of flavor that complements the SunButter beautifully.
• Super Fine Almond Flour: This gluten-free flour lends a tender crumb to the cookies and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Gluten Free Oat Flour: Another excellent gluten-free option that adds a hearty, wholesome element to the dough.
• No-Sugar-Added Jam or Jelly: Choose your favorite fruit spread to fill these cookies, ensuring a naturally sweet and fruity center.

That’s it! With these simple components, you’re well on your way to baking a batch of truly special cookies that everyone can enjoy.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

These SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies are not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably easy to prepare. Follow these simple steps to mix up your dough and bake a perfect batch of these festive treats. The process is designed to be hassle-free, ensuring a rewarding baking experience from start to finish.

Prep Your Baking Station

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, prepare 1-2 baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your cookies lift off the trays effortlessly after baking. A non-stick surface is key for perfectly shaped thumbprint cookies.

Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pure maple syrup, Organic SunButter, and super fine almond flour. Using a sturdy spoon or a rubber spatula, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated. The dough should come together to form a sticky, cohesive ball. Ensure there are no dry streaks of flour, and everything is uniformly mixed. This forms the base of your deliciously chewy cookies.

Chill for Perfection

Once your dough is mixed, cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for approximately 30 minutes. While you can technically skip this step if you’re really pressed for time, I highly recommend it. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it much easier to handle and roll into balls, and also contributes to a better cookie consistency and less spreading during baking. This short chilling period makes a noticeable difference in the final texture of your thumbprint cookies.

Forming Your Thumbprint Cookies: The Signature Indent

After the dough has sufficiently firmed up in the refrigerator (you can test its readiness by gently pressing it with a fork or spoon), it’s time to shape your cookies. This is where the “thumbprint” magic happens!

Scoop and Roll

Use a cookie scoop to portion out approximately 1 ½ Tablespoon balls of dough. This ensures uniform cookie size, which is important for even baking. Once scooped, gently roll each portion of dough between your palms to form smooth, round balls. Place these dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets, allowing ample space for them to spread slightly.

The Thumbprint Technique

Now for the iconic indent! Lightly press your thumb (or the back of a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon for a more uniform cavity) into the center of each dough ball to create a small “thumbprint.” This indentation will hold the delicious jam filling. If you find that your thumb or spoon sticks to the dough, a little trick is to slightly wet it with a bit of filtered water before pressing. This will ensure a clean, neat indentation every time, ready for its fruity surprise.

Filling and Baking Your Jam-Filled Delights

With your thumbprints perfectly formed, the next exciting step is to add the sweet jam and then bake your cookies to golden perfection. This final stage brings all the flavors together, creating a beautiful and appetizing treat.

Add the Jam Filling

Carefully add about ½ teaspoon of your chosen no-sugar-added jam or jelly into the center of each thumbprint. Be mindful not to overfill, as the jam can bubble up and spill over during baking. A small spoon or a piping bag can help with precise placement, ensuring each cookie has a neat, vibrant fruit center. Raspberry and strawberry are classic choices, but feel free to experiment with blueberry, apricot, or even a mixed berry blend for different flavor profiles.

Bake to Perfection

Place the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake the cookies for 16-17 minutes. It’s important to keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time. When they emerge from the oven, the cookies might appear slightly underdone in the center, and this is completely normal. They will firm up considerably as they cool on the baking sheet. Resist the urge to bake them longer, as overbaking can result in dry, crumbly cookies.

Cooling and Storage

Once baked, promptly remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets. This cooling period is essential for them to set properly and develop their final texture. Once cooled, transfer any leftover SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week, maintaining their freshness and chewiness. For longer-term enjoyment, these cookies also freeze beautifully for several months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready for another delightful bite.

Why Organic SunButter is the Ideal Choice for These Cookies

For this recipe, I specifically chose Organic SunButter, and there are several compelling reasons why it’s the perfect foundation for these delicious thumbprint cookies. SunButter adds a wonderful creaminess and a boost of healthy fats, contributing significantly to the texture and nutritional value of the recipe.

While you might technically be able to substitute other nut or seed butters, I am particularly fond of SunButter’s uniquely neutral, yet distinctly nutty flavor. It doesn’t overpower the delicate sweetness of the jam but rather provides a rich, complementary base that truly shines. This makes for a more balanced and nuanced flavor profile compared to other stronger-flavored nut butters.

Beyond its fantastic taste, using SunButter offers a crucial advantage: it keeps this recipe completely peanut-free. In today’s world, where peanut allergies are increasingly common, having a delicious, safe option for everyone is invaluable. These SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies become a wonderful, inclusive treat for school functions, office potlucks, and holiday cookie exchanges, ensuring that those with peanut allergies can enjoy them without concern.

Furthermore, Organic SunButter is made from roasted sunflower seeds, which are naturally rich in essential nutrients. It’s an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fats. These nutritional benefits mean you can feel good about enjoying these cookies as a snack, part of a balanced breakfast, or a satisfying dessert. The pairing of SunButter and jam isn’t just delicious; it’s iconic, reminiscent of classic childhood favorites, but elevated with wholesome ingredients. I genuinely can’t wait for you to experience the magic of this combination in cookie form!

Creative Ways to Serve and Enjoy Your SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

These SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways, anytime you’re craving that perfect nutty, jammy combo in a delightful cookie package. Thanks to their wholesome ingredients – packed with plant-based protein and healthy fats – you can feel absolutely wonderful about incorporating them into your daily routine or for special occasions.

Here are some inspiring ideas for when and how to serve these charming treats:

• For an Easy Breakfast: Pair one or two with your morning coffee or tea for a quick, satisfying start to your day. The protein and healthy fats will keep you feeling full and energized.
• As a Wholesome Snack: Beat the mid-afternoon slump with a naturally sweet and nourishing cookie. They’re perfect for both kids and adults.
• A Delicious Dessert: Serve them as a light yet indulgent dessert after any meal. Their elegant appearance makes them suitable for dinner parties or family gatherings.
• Pre or Post-Workout Fuel: The blend of natural sugars, protein, and healthy fats makes them an excellent choice to fuel your body before a workout or aid in recovery afterward.

One of the best ways to customize these cookies is by playing with different jam flavors. While I personally adore the vibrant tastes of raspberry or strawberry jam, don’t hesitate to explore other options. Blueberry or grape jam would also pair beautifully with the rich SunButter, offering a different but equally delightful flavor experience. Imagine a batch with apricot jam for a touch of sunshine, or even a fig spread for a more sophisticated twist!

Their classic appeal and understated elegance, combined with their straightforward preparation, make them ideal for various occasions. They’re fantastic for:

• Gift-Giving: Package them in a decorative box or tin for a thoughtful, homemade present during the holidays or for a hostess gift.
• Holiday Parties: Their festive look and allergy-friendly nature make them a popular addition to any holiday dessert spread.
• Valentine’s Day: The sweet jammy centers make them perfect for expressing love and affection.
• Everyday Entertaining: Impress your guests with a homemade treat that looks sophisticated but is surprisingly easy to make.

So, gather your ingredients, unleash your inner baker, and let the thumb-printing begin! These cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a celebration of simple joys and thoughtful indulgence. Enjoy every single bite!

Explore More Vegan Thumbprint Cookie Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies, you’re in for a treat! The world of vegan thumbprint cookies is wonderfully diverse and full of exciting flavors to explore. These delightful little treasures are perfect for any occasion, offering a satisfying blend of soft cookie and fruity (or sometimes chocolaty!) center. Expand your baking repertoire with some of these other fantastic plant-based thumbprint cookie variations:

• PB Jam ‘N’ Yam Thumbprint Cookies

• Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

• Coconut Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

• Lemon Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies

• Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate “Kiss” Cookies

• Raspberry Beet Thumbprint Cookies

We’d Love to Hear From You!

If you decide to make this incredible SunButter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies recipe, please don’t keep it to yourself! We’d absolutely love to hear about your experience.

Be sure to leave a comment below, share your star rating, and write a review. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy.

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XO Lauren

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