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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry Peek-A-Boos or Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies are a lightly sweet oatmeal cookie filled with raspberry jam in a thumbprint shaped well in the center of the cookie.

Friends shared this easy old fashioned oatmeal thumbprint cookie recipe. It has become a new favorite Valentines or Christmas cookie and is perfect to enjoy all year round!

Baking sheet with non-stick liner and raspberry jam filled baked thumbprint cookies

If you like this recipe you may also enjoy Raspberry Cream Cheese Croissant Bake and Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake with raspberry sauce!

Easy Raspberry Filled Cookies

The oatmeal and raspberry combination is absolutely unforgettable. Every family should have a few super easy cookie recipes they can whip up anytime. These Raspberry Peek A Boo Thumbprint Cookies have just been added to our list of favorite baked goods!

My sister-in-law recently shared this Raspberry Crumb Cake Bars and we LOVE them. I bought a few different types of raspberry jam and love the unique flavor. Having one raspberry treat has made us crave more!

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I’ve wondered why we don’t use red raspberry jam or preserves more when I began looking through my recipe file and found this recipe for cookies with raspberry jam in the middle that a friend shared. I called my friend and she said that it’s one of her best cookie recipes and all of her kids request these easy cookies every year at Christmas.

Raspberry filled cookies on wire cooling rack

Raspberry Oatmeal Cookies

The kids and I had fun making these Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies last Christmas and filling them with icing. Raspberry filled oatmeal cookies with sweet raspberry jam or raspberry preserves are our favorite! Pick your favorite raspberry filling and bake away!

The thumbprint cookies take a few minutes more than the other cookies because you have to make an indent and put about half a teaspoon of jam inside the well before baking. This isn’t hard to do, it just takes a few more minutes. But it’s an activity and my young kids need activities right now so that means these cookies are even more fun to make.

Every family has a few go-to cookie recipes. I personally love my traditional Chocolate Chip Cookies and Dark Chocolate and Oatmeal Cookies. My husband loves Cowboy Cookie Bars. My kids love Oatmeal Cocoa Chippers and my dad craves Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies. As we look at the theme in our family’s favorite cookies most of them have oatmeal.

Can You Freeze Cookies With Jam In Them?

Yes! Make sure that the jam is baked into the cookie and allowed to cool before stacking and placing in an air tight container to freeze.

Red raspberry jam filled cookie on baking sheet

How To Store Jam Filled Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2- 4 days. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How To Make Thumbprint Cookies

The secret to making beautiful thumbprint cookies is making the same size and shape indent in each cookie. Whether using your thumb or a utensil dip it in clean water in between each cookie. This will help prevent the dough from sticking and speed up the process.

Using a wet utensil or wet thumb use the same amount of pressure and work at the same angle to help ensure cookies hold the same amount of filling and look the same.

I like to keep a small bowl of water right next to my mixing bowl and cookie sheet to make dipping my finger very convenient.

I’ve tried using the round end of a wooden spoon or the bottom of a teaspoon measuring cup to create the divet. While both of these options are very uniform I find that they are a bit more awkward and time-consuming than using my thumb.

Cookie dough on baking sheet with thumbprint for jam

Tips For Making Jam Cookies

  • Raspberry preserves makes a fine substitute for raspberry jam – check the nutrition label as more calories per serving typically means more sugar and a sweeter flavor
  • Other flavors of fruit jam or preserves can be substituted for red raspberry

How To Make Raspberry Jam Cookies

Melt butter an mix into brown and granulated sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and mix after each addition.

Stir in milk and vanilla. Milk can be substituted for water, but I prefer the richer flavor from milk.

In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients except for the oast. Slowly mix into wet mixture. Add the oats and mix well.

Use a cookie scoop or drop 1 heaping teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Make a well or thumbprint shaped indent in the center of each ball of dough. Add 1/2 teaspoon jam.

Bake at 350°F for 11 – 14 minutes.

Other Easy Cookie Recipes:

Printable Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Thumbprint cookies on wire rack filled with jam

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Servings 35 cookies
Author: Jennifer
Raspberry Peek-A-Boos or Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies are a lightly sweet oatmeal cookie with raspberry jam baked in a thumbprint shaped well in the center of the cookie.
Friends shared this easy old fashioned cookie recipe and it has become a new favorite Christmas cookie and to enjoy all year round!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup red raspberry jam

Instructions
 

  • Combine melted butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar; mix well.
  • Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Stir in milk and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl mix flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Slowly add to other mixture.
  • Mix in oats.
  • Use a cookie scoop or drop 1 heaping teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Make a well or thumbprint shaped indent in the center of each ball of dough. Add 1/2 teaspoon jam.
  • Bake at 350°F for 11 – 14 minutes.

Notes

  • Raspberry jam can be substituted for raspberry preserves – check the nutrition label as more calories per serving typically means more sugar and a sweeter flavor
  • Other flavors of fruit jam or preserves can be substituted for red raspberry

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 153mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @PlowingThroughLife or tag #PlowingThroughLife!

Originally published April 10, 2020 and updated on 2/22/22.

4 Comments

  1. Isn t there some rule about breaking the cookie in half before eating and it s half the calories? Those look delicious!

    1. Wouldn’t it be great if this was true?!? And yes, we love these cookies! Sure hope you give them a try!

  2. What kind of oats do you use, quick or rolled?

    1. Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life says:

      Great question! Either quick or rolled works well. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

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