Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

These energizing thumbprint cookies surely live up to their name. They are made with almond flour instead of regular flour and contain no refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Whole-grain rolled oats are used to provide additional protein and fiber making this cookie a revitalizing midday snack. The key is to use a jam that is naturally sweetened by fruit pectin. Pectin is a natural substance found in fruits and gives the jam that sweetness with no added sugar. Jams that are made with whole fruits and no added sugar have more nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants.

With the slightest crisp on the outside and a soft, gooey inside these cookies will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, but in a healthier way!

What makes balanced thumbprint cookies healthier?

A cookie is still a cookie and should always be enjoyed in moderation, but what makes these thumbprint cookies different is the nutrition that they have. Listed below, you’ll find 5 reasons these delectable cookies are a better option.

1. Almond flour. Instead of using traditional flour, this recipe uses almond flour. Almond flour is gluten-free, minimally processed, and high in protein, fiber, and vitamins.
2. Whole grain rolled oats. Adding whole-grain rolled oats gives the cookie more substance and protein, giving your body energy rather than depleting it. Whole grains oats are slowly digested keeping you full for longer.
3. No refined sugar. These thumbprint cookies live up to their name because they aren’t going to spike your blood sugar. The only sweetener here comes from a little honey, a dash of vanilla extract, and the natural pectin in the jam. When choosing a jam, make sure to check the ingredients & sugar. There should be no cane sugar or artificial sweeteners.
4. No dairy. While I personally like to use a 1/4 cup of melted ghee, which has no lactose you can use melted coconut oil instead, making these cookies completely dairy-free and allergen friendly.
5. Convenient. Energizing thumbprint cookies are easy to make with minimal prep work. You can store them in the refrigerator to preserve their freshness and use them as a midday snack for extra energy!

Tips before baking

• Because this dough is a bit wetter, it will need to be refrigerated for at least 1 hour before shaping and baking. It also allows everything to solidify together.
• To make these completely dairy free replace the ghee with melted coconut oil.
• If you want even less sugar added, feel free to omit the honey and vanilla extract.
• I highly recommend using whole-grain rolled oats and not quick-minute oats. Rolled oats are a bit larger, so I encourage you to grind them in a food processor before baking. This will give the cookie a smoother texture but is not required.

How to make energizing thumbprint cookies

• Grind the whole-grain oats in a food processor if desired.
• In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup of almond flour, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
• In a separate bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of melted ghee or coconut oil, 1/4 cup of honey, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 egg.
• Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix well until everything is combined.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 24 hours before baking.
• Once ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a cookie scooper or spoon, make 12 dough balls on the pan.
• Indent the middle of the dough ball using a spoon or your thumb.
• Spoon in 1/2-1 teaspoon of jam into each cookie.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to brown.
• Allow the cookies to rest for 2 minutes before enjoying warm!