Perfectly soft, chewy delicious vegan almond thumbprint cookies. Gluten-free, no sugar, low carb healthy cookies that are absolutely delicious, perfect for the holidays and ready in just 30 minutes.
This post has been updated from the original posted December 20, 2017.
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Almond Thumbprint Cookies are delicious, nutritious, easy to make and also stunning…yup, everything on your cookie wish list.
- They’re perfectly chewy, jammy and satisfying. Amazingly sweet with no refined sugar plus the nutty taste and texture is just right.
- These gorgeous cookies will be the star of holiday dessert table. A fierce competitor for the top spot with my Vegan Ginger Cookies.
- Be a superstar when you make these for your annual cookie swap. Bonus points if you’re willing to share and wrap these up as gifts!
- I make these cookies filled with raspberry chia jam all year round and cranberry chia jam when they’re in season. They’re exactly what I want in the evening with a cup of tea and healthy enough for a grab and go breakfast too.
Why you’ll love Almond Thumbprint Cookies
- They’re beautiful! The bright jam is fun and colorful.
- Gluten-free….actually they’re even grain-free—LOW CARB.
- An ideal snack for after school, mid morning, or in the evening.
- No sugar. I do have a sweet tooth, but I stay away from refined sugar.
- They freeze well! Make a double batch and store some for later.
- This recipe is so easy to make, but they look like a labor of love…which they are!
- The perfect cookie swap cookie!
- Healthy enough to eat for breakfast.
- Plant based ingredients.
- No oil….whole foods used that contain healthy fats.
- Delicious with a chewy cookie and jammy filling.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Traditional Thumbprint cookies are loaded with saturated fat and refined sugar. A few simple swaps and an easy recipe for healthy cookies is born!
- Almond Flour: Widely available at grocery stores and online. Blanched almond flour is easy to use and low in carbs.
- Arrowroot powder: gluten-free and a good source of B vitamins and potassium.
- Ground Flax: Rich in fiber, high in Omega-3s and perfect for vegan and grain-free baking.
- Almond Butter: Use creamy almond butter, with only almonds, no additional ingredients.
- Maple Syrup: pure maple syrup adds a touch of natural sweetness and no need for refined sugar.
- Almond Extract: I like the extra almond flavor. OK to omit if you don’t have, or substitute with vanilla extract.
- Sea Salt: Omit, if your almond butter contains salt. I like the way salt brings out the nutty flavor of the flax, and almonds.
How to make Thumbprint Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare large cookie sheet with unbleached parchment.
Step 1: Mix wet ingredients. Combine almond butter, maple syrup and almond extract in a medium sized bowl.
Step 2: Add dry ingredients, almond meal, ground flax, arrowroot, baking powder, sea salt to the bowl. Mix thoroughly, until dough comes together.
Step 3: Roll batter into 1″ balls and place on rimmed baking sheet lined with unbleached parchment paper. Use your thumb, or the back of a spoon to make an indent into each cookie ball, to put the filling.
Step 4: Fill with jam. Use two teaspoons to drop 1 teaspoon of jam into each cookie indent. I used Homemade Cranberry Chia Jam.
Step 5: Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are set and beginning to brown. It is OK for cookies to be soft, they will firm up a bit more as they cool.
Step 6: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack before transferring for storage.
Debra’s Pro Tips
- Make the jam ahead, or even use store bought jam to save time.
- Make the cranberry chia jam yourself to save money.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing or freezing.
- A dollop of melted chocolate is a great filling option too.
- If you’re making a batch for your annual cookie exchange, make it a double so you can leave some home too.
Storage Tips
- Make sure cookies are totally cool before storing.
- Use airtight containers suitable for the fridge or freezer.
- Place parchment paper between rows of cookies to prevent filling from spreading.
- Cookies will stay good for 5 days at room temperature, a week in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer (use freezer safe zip top bags or another airtight container).
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📖 Recipe
Gluten-free Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond meal
- ¼ cup arrowroot powder
- ¼ cup ground flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup smooth almond butter
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup no sugar jam*
Instructions
Make Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 and line a rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine almond butter, maple syrup and almond extract. Mix until smooth.
- Add almond meal, arrowroot powder, ground flax, baking powder and salt and mix well. It will be kinda crumbly, but you should be able to press together between your fingers.
- Roll the dough into golf ball sized rounds. You will have 18-24, depending on size.
- Use the back of a teaspoon or your thumb to make an indent in each. Fill with 1 teaspoon jam.
- Bake for 13 minutes, until cookies are set and beginning to brown.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes and then transfer to a rack to cool completely before storing.
- Store cookies in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Scarlet
Yummy. These sounds amazing. I love almond flavor in baked goods and these thumbprint cookies sound so good.
Debra Klein
They are so delicious! Totally agree about the almond flavor too. YUM.
Alexandra
It is great to find a delicious cookie that is refined sugar free – we love this!
Debra Klein
Thank you….we love it too!
Amy
These look so gorgeous! That would make for lovely festive gifts from my daughter to some family and friends. I love cranberries and I think they don’t get used enough. Love the addition of chia seeds. That makes a regular appearance in our household but would never have thought to add it to a jam!
Debra Klein
Thank you. Yes, homemade cookies do make great gifts….and bonus that they’re healthy too. I love using chia seeds to thicken jams…a little boost of nutrition too.
Marina
Those cookies look delicious and my daughter loves them
Sue
Thumbprints are a favorite of mine. I love how you’ve made these so healthy!!
Kyleigh
These look like perfect Christmas cookies!
Debra Klein
Thank you! I agree.
FOODHEAL
sweet
Chloe
Lovely, I love a simple thumbprint cookie! Great idea with the almond flavours too 🙂
Debra Klein
Right? Simple and still beautiful and healthy too.
Raquel
These beauties are perfect for my holiday cookie tray! And gluten-free is a bonus!
Debra Klein
Yes! Plus, no sugar on a tray that probably already has plenty.
Christina
These were so good!
Sabrina
Delicious, light and still festive. Very good, thanks!
Meesha
This turns out to be really delicious! A really great healthy treat to have on hand !
Chef Dennis
Yum! My wife is a fan of cookies and these Almond Thumbprint Cookies are heaven!
Debra Klein
Well, you know what they say, “A happy wife…..”
Leslie
Excellent recipe for Thumbprint cookies! Love these flavors!
Peebeejays
looking very attractive and delicious. I have read your article i got good information. Thanks for sharing this post.
Debra Klein
You’re welcome!
Bernice
These cookies are such a great idea. They’d be perfect for a gluten free Christmas cookie exchange or to serve to my GF friends. I’m saving this recipe because I love giving treats at Christmas!
Debra Klein
Awesome that you’re thinking ahead to the holidays and keeping your GF friends in mind.
Jessica Erin Halverstadt
These are so pretty 😍 and no doubt delicious. I have a cookie fundraiser to attend soon for a local organization I’m involved with and they are always in need of gluten-free cookie donations – these will be perfect!
Debra Klein
Yes…these will be perfect for that fund raiser. They’ll love them.
Marcellina
Oooh perfect for the holidays!! These cookies are so easy to make and delicious to eat. Perfect for when I have my gluten intolerant friends over – we can all enjoy them!
Debra Klein
Yes….everyone can enjoy these.
Erin Gierhart
Such an easy cookie to make! And I love that I can enjoy them guilt-free!
Debra Klein
Plus, they’re beautiful!
Ramona
I absolutely love thumbprint cookies and your cranberry and chia jam filling sounds amazing! Perfect for this season.
Debra Klein
I make that chia jam all year round, when I can get fresh cranberries.
Lara
These are going to be great for the holidays. Great recipe to make so I have something to offer to those who are looking for GF or low carb but still want a treat!
Andrea White
Love these thumbprint cookies so much! So tasty and delicious!
Linda
Amazing cookie recipe! And chia jam blends well with these cookies
Debra Klein
My favorite filling for these delicious cookies.
Serena
I’m such a fan of almond flavor in cookies! These sound delicious and I’m looking forward to trying the jam as well.
Debra Klein
Oh Serena, you’ll love them!
Brianna
Great textures and flavor, you wouldn’t believe these coolies are sugar free!
Debra Klein
Totally….super tasty cookies can definitely be made without sugar!
Сarolyn Wong
Cookies made with a rich almond paste and topped with a sweet jam, these cookies are sure to please. Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make. Just cook up a batch of dough, form into balls, and press your thumb into the center. Then fill with jam and bake. In no time at all, you’ll have a tray full of delicious cookies that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. So go ahead and give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Debra Klein
Thanks Carolyn. I totally agree!
Tartan Fish And Chips
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