Indulge Guilt-Free: Easy Vegan Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free & Grain-Free)

Easy vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, and delightfully refined sugar-free Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies filled with a vibrant raspberry-beet chia jam. These wholesome treats are perfect for any occasion, offering a burst of flavor and a comforting chewiness that satisfies every craving.

The holiday season, or indeed any busy period, often feels like a whirlwind of activities. From festive gatherings to gift wrapping marathons and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Over the past weekend, I found myself deep in a Christmas card writing frenzy, addressing envelopes with a frantic mix of cursive and print, just trying to get them all out the door. My kitchen, too, has been a hub of activity: baking, cooking, preparing for parties, and visiting loved ones. It’s a wonderful time of year, but it can also be incredibly demanding.

Amidst all the seasonal complexities, there’s one thing that absolutely shouldn’t add to your stress: your baking. This is precisely why I’m thrilled to share these incredibly simple yet utterly delicious Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies. They are designed to be an effortless joy, requiring fewer than ten core ingredients. In fact, if you prepare the Raspberry-Beet Chia Seed Jam ahead of time, you’re looking at a mere four ingredients for the cookie base itself!

So, preheat your oven and get your thumbs ready. You’re about to create some truly special treats that are as beautiful to look at as they are delightful to eat.

Do you have a cookie exchange, a holiday party, or a special gathering coming up? These raspberry-beet thumbprint cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. My partner, Dan, has a White Elephant party at work this week, and I’ve taken on the delightful task of baking a batch (or two, or three!) of cookies for the event. Initially, I considered making my beloved 4-Ingredient PB Kiss Cookies, but these vibrant thumbprints truly give those classic kisses a run for their money. Their unique flavor and stunning color make them stand out on any dessert table.

Trust me, you are going to fall in love with these easy-to-make vegan thumbprint cookies. Each bite offers a perfect balance: a wonderfully moist, chewy, and lightly sweet cookie base that cradles a gooey, tart center. They boast a sturdy texture, making them ideal for handling and sharing, yet they melt in your mouth with every bite. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy the simple pleasure of pressing their fingers into soft, raw cookie dough? It’s part of the fun!

Essential Ingredients for Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies

Crafting these delicious vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free thumbprint cookies requires a surprisingly short list of wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Almond Butter: This forms the rich, moist base of our cookies. Opt for a natural, creamy almond butter with no added sugars or oils for the best results and a neutral flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.
• Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, maple syrup adds a subtle caramel note and helps bind the cookie dough. Ensure you’re using pure maple syrup for optimal flavor and health benefits.
• Almond Flour: The star of our gluten-free and grain-free cookie base! Fine almond flour provides a tender, delicate crumb and a delightful nutty flavor, making these cookies exceptionally light yet satisfying.
• Fresh or Frozen Raspberries: These berries are the foundation of our vibrant jam, offering a burst of natural sweetness and tartness. Frozen raspberries work just as well as fresh, making this recipe accessible year-round.
• Love Beets (Pre-cooked Beets): The secret ingredient for an extra boost of nutrition and that stunning deep red hue! Using pre-cooked beets makes the jam preparation incredibly simple and quick.
• Orange Juice: A squeeze of fresh orange juice brightens the jam, adding a hint of citrusy zest that complements the berries and beets beautifully.
• Lemon Juice: Just a touch of lemon juice enhances the tartness of the jam, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the natural flavors of the fruit and vegetables.
• Chia Seeds: These tiny powerhouses are essential for thickening our jam without any added sugar or pectin. They also contribute healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, making the jam even more nutritious.

That’s it! With these simple, wholesome ingredients, you’re well on your way to baking a batch of truly extraordinary thumbprint cookies.

Crafting the Perfect Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookie Base

If you’ve been following my baking adventures, particularly through the colder months, you’ll know I’ve developed a slight obsession with almond flour cookies. And for good reason! This remarkable flour is a game-changer for gluten-free and grain-free baking, delivering a moist, dense, and wonderfully nutty texture that is simply irresistible. Its unique properties make it an ideal substitute for traditional wheat flour, providing a wholesome alternative without sacrificing flavor or quality.

In this particular recipe, I’ve chosen almond butter as my go-to nut butter for the cookie base. Its neutral flavor profile is absolutely perfect, allowing the delicate notes of the almond flour and the vibrant jam to shine through. Beyond its delicious taste, almond butter also serves as an excellent natural replacement for oils and butter, contributing healthy fats and a luxurious richness to the dough. This keeps the cookies moist and tender, ensuring a delightful chewiness with every bite.

One crucial step to remember when working with this dough is to transfer it to the fridge to chill. This isn’t just an optional suggestion; it’s a vital part of the process! Chilling the dough firms it up just enough to make it perfectly workable. This allows you to effortlessly roll it into uniform balls and then, of course, create those signature thumbprints without the dough sticking excessively or losing its shape. A well-chilled dough ensures your cookies bake beautifully and hold their delightful form.

Creating the Vibrant Raspberry-Beet Chia Seed Jam

Every exquisite nutty cookie base deserves an equally exceptional jammy topping, and this Raspberry-Beet Chia Seed Jam is truly something special. If you’ve ever tried my Easy Sugar-Free Raspberry Chia Seed Jam, you already know the magic of homemade, naturally sweetened jam. This raspberry-beet filling builds on that original recipe, elevating it with the fantastic addition of roasted beets. The beets are not just for a pop of color; they provide an extra boost of nourishment, a subtle earthy sweetness, and a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the bright raspberries.

I absolutely adore the combination of beets and berries. There’s something incredibly harmonious about the slightly earthy undertones of beets blending with the abundant sweetness of raspberries. Roasted beets are naturally rich in sugars, making them a superb choice for creating a naturally sweet, sugar-free topping. When blended with the tartness of raspberries, they create a beautifully balanced flavor that’s both comforting and exciting.

Chia seeds are another hero in this jam, serving multiple purposes. They are renowned for their ability to absorb liquid and create a gel-like consistency, effectively thickening the jam without the need for artificial thickeners or excessive cooking. Beyond their gelling properties, chia seeds pack a punch of protein and healthy fats, turning your jam into a nutrient-dense powerhouse. A generous squeeze of fresh orange juice rounds out the flavors, adding a hint of bright, refreshing citrus that lifts the entire concoction. If, after tasting, you find yourself craving a touch more sweetness, feel free to stir in 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Your secret is safe with me!

Discover the Convenience of Love Beets

To make the Raspberry-Beet Chia Seed Jam truly “easy,” I opted for Love Beets roasted baby beets. This brand is a lifesaver in the kitchen, significantly simplifying the jam-making process. Instead of the time-consuming steps of peeling, roasting, and then chopping fresh beets, you can simply open a package of Love Beets and pop one or two (depending on their size) directly into your blender. This convenience ensures that even on the busiest days, you can whip up this nutritious and flavorful jam without any fuss.

This recipe is designed to yield a generous amount of jam, as you’ll only need approximately 1/4 cup to fill all the thumbprint cookies. Don’t worry about the extra! I highly recommend saving the remainder, as it’s incredibly versatile and delicious. It’s fantastic spread on homemade PB&J sandwiches, elevates a simple slice of toast, adds a burst of flavor to your morning oatmeal, makes for sultry pancakes, or can be layered into beautiful parfaits. Trust me, you’ll be glad to have it on hand.

PRO TIP: This raspberry-beet chia jam, when combined with your favorite nut butter, is an absolute golden combination. The flavors meld perfectly, creating a snack or breakfast that is both satisfying and incredibly nutritious.

Creative Ways to Serve Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies

These Raspberry-Beet Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a wholesome treat that you can enjoy at any time of day. Whenever you’re craving that perfect blend of nutty cookie goodness and fruity, jammy sweetness, these cookies deliver. What makes them even better is their impressive nutritional profile: they’re packed with plant-based protein from almond flour and chia seeds, healthy fats from almond butter, and the goodness of both fruits and vegetables in the jam. So, yes, you should feel absolutely wonderful about enjoying them whenever the mood strikes!

While every cookie is a good cookie in my book, these thumbprint cookies offer an added layer of nourishment that makes them a guilt-free pleasure. Consider incorporating them into your routine as:

• Easy Breakfasts: A couple of these cookies alongside your morning coffee or tea make for a quick and satisfying start to your day.
• Wholesome Snacks: Perfect for curbing mid-day cravings, providing sustained energy thanks to their balanced macros.
• Elegant Desserts: Their classic charm and vibrant color make them a sophisticated end to any meal, impressing guests with minimal effort.
• Pre/Post-Workout Fuel: The combination of healthy fats, protein, and natural sugars offers excellent energy before a workout and aids in recovery afterward.

These thumbprint cookies strike a beautiful balance: they are both classic and elegant, yet incredibly uncomplicated to make. This combination makes them an ideal choice for a variety of occasions. They are fantastic for thoughtful gift-giving during the holidays or for a special Valentine’s Day treat. They also elevate everyday entertaining, adding a touch of homemade charm to any gathering. Their vibrant color and delightful taste are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Happy thumb-printing, and happy indulging!

More Irresistible Vegan Thumbprint Cookie Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies, you’re in for a treat! The world of vegan thumbprint cookies is wonderfully diverse, offering a range of flavors and textures to explore. Here are some of my other favorite recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds:

• PB Jam ‘N’ Yam Thumbprint Cookies

  A unique and comforting twist, combining the classic peanut butter and jam flavor with the earthy sweetness of sweet potato (yam) in the jam filling. These are a hearty and satisfying option.

• Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  For the chocolate lovers! These rich, decadent cookies feature a deep chocolate base and can be filled with your favorite jam, ganache, or even a dollop of nut butter for a truly indulgent experience.

• Coconut Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

  Imagine a chewy, coconut-infused cookie cradling a luscious, homemade vegan caramel. These cookies are a tropical dream, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a hint of exotic flavor.

• Lemon Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies

  Bright, zesty, and refreshing! These cookies feature a delicate almond flour base infused with lemon, paired with a vibrant lemon curd or jam filling. They are a delightful burst of sunshine in cookie form.

• Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate “Kiss” Cookies

  While not strictly a “thumbprint,” these are a close cousin and an absolute classic. A soft peanut butter cookie topped with a vegan chocolate kiss, offering that beloved sweet and salty combination that everyone adores.

I Want to Hear From You!

If you dive into the kitchen and make these delightful Raspberry-Beet Thumbprint Cookies, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Your feedback helps me create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy.

Please take a moment to leave me a comment below, along with a rating and review. Your insights are incredibly valuable!

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to share your beautiful creations. I love seeing what you’re baking!

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XO Lauren

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This post is brought to you by Love Beets, a brand I genuinely appreciate and use in my kitchen. All words, opinions, and delicious eats are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the incredible sponsors that help keep me creating and sharing these recipes!