Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Name: Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chunky natural peanut butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed ); 1 egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup Nutella (or strawberry jam); sea salt (optional)

4.50 from 2 votes

41 comments

December 19, 2024

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If you love peanut butter cookies with a twist, these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies are going to be your new favorite treat! With a soft, chewy base made from natural peanut butter, these cookies have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The magic happens when you fill the center of each cookie with a dollop of Nutella or your favorite jam. It’s a simple recipe that delivers big on flavor, perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving something sweet and satisfying. If you’re looking for a jam filled Thumbprint Cookie with glaze, I’ve got you covered too!

Three peanut butter thumbprint cookies with chocolate centers sit on a teal plate, surrounded by additional cookies and festive decorations.

If you’re looking for more classic Christmas cookies, check out these –> Christmas Shortbread Cookies, Candy Cane Cookies, Gingerdoodle Sandwich Cookies, or 50+ Old Fashioned Christmas Cookie Recipes.

This recipe is as easy as it is delicious. With just a handful of pantry staples and no fancy equipment required, these cookies come together in no time. The combination of peanut butter’s nutty richness with the sweet filling creates a treat that’s impossible to resist. Whether you go for the classic peanut butter and jelly vibe or opt for a decadent chocolate center, these cookies are guaranteed to please.

These cookies are naturally gluten-free since there’s no flour involved, but you’d never guess it from their rich, chewy texture and incredible flavor. They’re proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something truly delicious! An optional last step is to sprinkle with some sea salt to get an extra added salty/sweet finish which I LOVE.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies are laid out on a marble countertop, featuring bowls of peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and chocolate spread. An egg and a small dish of vanilla extract complete the delightful ensemble for these irresistible treats.

Ingredients Needed for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Basically, you should have most, if not all, the ingredients to make these today! Here’s what you’ll need to make these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies:

Natural Peanut Butter – I like to use chunky natural peanut butter for this recipe for a nice added crunch and some structure since I don’t use flour.
Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar – both are used to sweeten!
Egg – this adds all the structure these cookies need.
Vanilla extract – to flavor.
Nutella – this is stuffed into the middle of each thumbprint cookie. Alternatively you could use strawberry or raspberry jam!
Sea Salt – this is optional but highly recommended, I just love that salty sweet combo.

Variations

Use creamy peanut butter if you prefer a smoother texture.
Swap Nutella with dark chocolate ganache filling for a richer taste.
Try raspberry preserves or white chocolate chips for different flavor combinations.
Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a warm spice twist.

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies with chocolate centers sit on two plates, accompanied by additional cookies, pinecones, and a bowl of sugar on a marble surface. Gold spoons rest elegantly on a polka dot dish.

How to Make Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are my easy step by step directions for making PB thumbprint cookies:

Step 1: Preheat + Prep Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment or silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 2: Make Cookie Dough

In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, stir peanut butter together with sugar, egg and vanilla extract until combined.

Peanut butter thumbprint cookies start to take shape as batter cascades gracefully from a pink bowl into a clear mixing dish, ready to be transformed into delicious bites of joy.

A bowl holds brown sugar, granulated sugar, and an egg, ready to blend into the perfect mix. Nearby, a dish with cocoa powder and a bowl of melted chocolate await, hinting at the rich flavors of Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies.

Step 3: Scoop, Bake + Cool

Scoop cookie dough balls onto prepared cookie sheet using cookie scoop. Bake 10 minutes, until cookies have slightly flattened and are not shiny. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes on baking sheet.

A person uses a scoop to prepare cookie dough in a glass bowl on a marble countertop, crafting the perfect base for delicious peanut butter thumbprint cookies.

A hand delicately holds a cookie scoop with dough over a bowl, preparing to make delightful Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies. In the background, a small dish of chocolate and another dish of white sugar await their turn.

Step 4: Indent, Fill + Sprinkle

Press your thumb (or end of a wooden spoon) into the middle of each cookie. Spoon in 1/2 teaspoon of Nutella or jam filling into hole and sprinkle with sea salt.

A hand skillfully uses a tool to form wells in peanut butter thumbprint cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

A person using a spoon to fill Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies on a baking sheet with chocolate.

Pro Tip: Nutella, fruit jams like raspberry or strawberry, or even peanut butter cups work wonderfully. Get creative with your favorite flavor combinations!

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

These cookies don’t need to be stored in the fridge however, you should store these in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days. Odds are they won’t last that long because they are *that* good!

As for freezing, I wouldn’t recommend freezing Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies. Since there isn’t any flour in these to give the cookies more structure they are prone to texture changes when frozen and thawed.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the cookie dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before scooping.

Hands holding a peanut butter thumbprint cookie filled with melted chocolate, with bowls and a pine cone in the background.

More Peanut Butter Cookies to Try!

These chewy peanut butter thumbprint cookies are a classic treat with endless possibilities for customization. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, they’re sure to become one of your go-to cookie recipes! The printable recipe card is down below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies topped with chocolate and a sprinkle of salt, arranged on a speckled white platter.

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4.50 from 2 votes