7 Days of Christmas Cookies: Dried Fruit Thumbprints

Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

Dried fruit puts people instantly in mind of ancient fruit cakes from distant aunts that end up being used as doorstops but if you think this cookie is going to end up re-gifted (as so many fruit cakes are) you are mistaken. Pay no attention to the name- chopped dried fruit mixed into apricot jam packs a punch that’s neither too sweet or too tart in what would otherwise be a boring (but tasty!) thumbprint cookie.

Dried Fruit Thumbprints (yields approx. 5 dozen)

1 c. finely chopped dried fruit (I used dried cranberries, dried papaya and dried pineapple)

1 tbsp apricot jam

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (minus the baking powder!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Roll the dough out into 1-inch balls. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Make a well in the center of each cookie by pressing down your finger. Refrigerate the dough until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 7 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and make sure the well in each centre is still firm (I used the handle of a wooden spoon). Bake for another 7-9 minutes.

Place cookies on rack to cool. In a small bowl, mix together the dried fruit and jam (I used apricot, but depending on the fruit you use you may wish to experiment with another flavour. Use a small spoon to fill the centre of each cookie with the jam mixture. Let the jam set before serving.

Happy baking!

B

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

7 Days of Christmas Cookies: White Chocolate Cranberry Thumbprints

Psst- this post is in a series where I share my family’s tradition of baking seven different cookies every Christmastime. To save time and money, each cookie in this series is based on this basic vanilla cookie dough recipe.

I don’t know why, but there’s something about the combination of cranberries and white chocolate that feels so Christmas-y. It’s a pretty flavor combo too: I find white chocolate on its own a little too sweet but that tart cranberry just gives it that little bit of edge. It doesn’t hurt either that these cookies feature just the teeniest taste of each, giving you the best of both worlds in one tiny little punch smack dab in the centre of the cookie.

White Chocolate Cranberry Thumbprints (approx. 5 dozen)

1 c. white chocolate, melted

1/2 c. dried cranberries (to taste)

one batch of this vanilla cookie dough (minus the baking powder!)

Prepare the vanilla cookie dough by following the instructions here. Roll the dough out into 1-inch balls. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Make a well in the center of each cookie by pressing down your finger. Refrigerate the dough until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350F for 7 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and make sure the well in each centre is still firm (I used the handle of a wooden spoon). Bake for another 7-9 minutes.

Place cookies on rack to cool. Using a small spoon or piping bag, fill the centre of each cookie with melted white chocolate. Sprinkle dried cranberries on top as desired. Let chocolate fully sit before serving. These are best stored in the fridge until your guests arrive! (But I won’t lie- they still taste pretty good all chocolatel-y and gooey and warm.

Happy baking!

B

I’m counting down Christmas by sharing some of my favourite holiday cookie recipes with you! I’ll be posting a different Christmas cookie recipe every day for the next seven days so you can follow along in my family’s baking tradition, and have more cookies to add to your Christmas baking arsenal! For more inspiration, you can check out more of my baking here. For even more recipe inspiration check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.