Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Lemon Glaze

Here’s a recipe for Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies with Lemon Glaze—a sweet and tangy treat that’s perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam (or any jam of your choice)

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra zing)

Instructions:

1. Make the Cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
5. Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
6. Create Indentations: Use your thumb (or the back of a spoon) to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
7. Fill with Jam: Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam.
8. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Lemon Glaze:

1. Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest (if using). Start with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
2. Drizzle the Glaze: Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze over the tops of the cookies using a spoon or piping bag.

3. Serve and Enjoy:

Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you prefer a thicker glaze, use less lemon juice.
• You can experiment with other jams like apricot, strawberry, or blackberry.

These cookies offer a delightful balance of sweetness from the jam and tartness from the lemon glaze!