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    Home ▸ Vegan Desserts

    Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: October 29, 2020 By Sophia DeSantis

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overlay text on a photo of thumbprint cookies with jam in the middle
    Hand taking a thumbprint cookie with a bite out of it from a pile
    Collage of ingredients to make thumbprint cookies and the cookies baked with overlay text

    These vegan thumbprint cookies are not only also gluten-free but they are made with only a few simple ingredients and are so easy to make!

    Thumbprint cookies with berry jam on a grey plate on a wooden surface
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    This is a cookbook review written by me on behalf of Kathy Patalsky, for which I received a free copy of the book. All the opinions and text are all mine.

    This post was originally published on May 13, 2015.

    These are a great cookie for kids, either as dessert or even a fun snack. They come together really fast and you can change up the flavor easily with using different flavored jams!

    Ingredients

    Gather the following for these easy thumbprint cookies:

    • oat flour
    • cane sugar or coconut sugar
    • almond butter 
    • seasonings
    • fruity jam 
    different colors bowls with ingredients to make thumbprint cookies

    How To Make Vegan Thumbprint Cookies

    Here's what you'll need to do:

    1. Combine all the ingredients except the jam.Cookie dough ball in a glass bowl on a wooden surface
    2. Roll the dough into balls, make a thumbprint, freeze, fill with jam. Cookie sheet with parchment paper and raw thumbprint cookies
    3. Bake. Baked thumbprint cookies with jam on a piece of parchment on a cookie sheet
    4. Chill & serve!Hand taking a thumbprint cookie with a bite out of it from a pile

    This amazing recipe comes from the book Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen by Kathy Patalsky of Healthy Happy Life.

    Being a mom of three doesn't exactly give me the gift of time. So I am happy to report that these cookies were SO easy to make along with delicious!

    I have also made these with sunflower butter when they were at their nut-free preschool and they turned out awesome as well! So fret no more nut allergy mamas, this cookie is for you too!

    Cookbook cover with a photo of a giant burger on the front

    Flavor variations

    One of the fun things about these cookies is how much variety they offer. Try any of these fillings and toppings:

    • Raspberry jam
    • Strawberry jam
    • Fig jam
    • Lemon curd
    • Cherry pie filling
    • Chocolate
    • Peanut butter
    • Coconut
    • Nuts
    • Sprinkles

    Tips and tricks

    Make sure to remember the following in order to make the best thumbprint cookies:

    1. For the best texture you need accuracy with the flours. Which is why I include precise weights. If you don’t have a scale, then you can purchase this fairly inexpensive one.
    2. If you prefer to measure, then measure the flours by scooping your measuring cup into the flour versus spooning it into it. This is how I measured when getting my weights.
    3. I suggest baking these on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Parchment helps crisp the cookie for that perfect outer texture.
    4. If dough is too soft to work with, place in the fridge a few minutes to firm up a bit.
    5. To make these oil free, simple don't use the oil. You will need to make sure your almond butter is nice and runny.
    6. Serve the cookies once they have cooled and firmed up a bit, otherwise at room temperature they will be slightly soft in texture. 

    Common Questions

    How do I keep my thumbprint cookies from spreading?

    Using a parchment paper lined baking sheet, or a baking mat, will prevent your cookies from spreading. A greased cookie sheet will cause them to spread out, they need something to grip onto.

    How long can you keep thumbprint cookies?

    These cookies are best the same day they're baked, but will last an extra day or two.

    Do cookies with jam need to be refrigerated?

    If you're not going to be eating them right away, they should be. Store them covered, in the fridge, for 1 to 2 days.

    Can I freeze thumbprint cookies?

    For longer storage, place the cookies in sealed containers or baggies and store in the freezer. Rewarm the frozen cookies in the microwave for 30 seconds, or allow to come to room temperature on a plate on the counter.

    More Vegan Cookie Recipes

    Finding a variety of recipes for vegan Christmas cookie exchanges can be tough, I've got you covered with these recipes:

    • Healthy Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies)
    • Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Cookies)
    • Grain Free Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Vegan Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies
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    Thumbprint cookies with berry jam on a grey plate on a wooden surface

    Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies

    Sophia DeSantis
    These vegan thumbprint cookies are not only also gluten-free but they are made with only a few simple ingredients and are so easy to make!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 147 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¾ cup oat flour , gluten-free if needed
    • ½ cup cane sugar or coconut sugar
    • 2 ½ tablespoons almond butter , softened
    • 2 teaspoons virgin coconut oil , softened (optional, see note for oil free)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Pinch sea salt
    • Pinch baking soda
    • 2 tablespoons fruity jam , any flavor

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
    • In a bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the jam, until a soft dough forms.
    • Carefully roll the dough into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Press a small thumbprint into each cookie. Place the cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes to solidify the shape for baking.
    • Bake the chilled cookies until they are rounded and lightly puffed and darkened on the edges, 8 to 10 minutes.
    • Pull the cookies from oven and dab a small bit of the jam in the center thumbprint of each cookie.
    • Remove the cookies from the pan and transfer to a plate. Place the cookies in the fridge to chill. Serve the cookies once they have cooled and firmed up a bit, otherwise at room temperature they will be slightly soft in texture. These cookies are best served the same day they are baked.
    • Store any leftovers, covered, in the fridge, for 1 to 2 days. For longer storage, place the cookies in sealed containers or baggies and store in the freezer. Rewarm the frozen cookies in the microwave for 30 seconds, or allow to come to room temperature on a plate on the counter.

    Notes

    • If dough is too soft to work with, place in the fridge a few minutes to firm up a bit.
    • To make these oil free, simple don't use the oil. You will need to make sure your almond butter is nice and runny.
    • These make about 8 cookies. Serving size is one cookie.
    Text excerpted from HEALTHY HAPPY VEGAN KITCHEN, © 2015 by Kathy Patalsky. Photos © Kathy Patalsky.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 37mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    Comments

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    1. Stacy @ Nourishing Health

      May 20, 2015 at 6:01 am

      Great review! You always know how to make me laugh - love your writing style! 🙂 I too have been LOVING, LOVING, LOVING this cookbook! Kathy has really done it with this one!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 20, 2015 at 8:35 pm

        Awe! Thanks so much Stacy! Totally made my night reading your nice comment. Isn't Kathy the best?!

        Reply
    2. Becca F

      May 16, 2015 at 3:01 pm

      I love collecting vegan cookbooks and this looks like it would be well loved in my collection

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 16, 2015 at 8:44 pm

        I'm sure it would be a perfect addition to your collection Becca! Good luck. Thank you for being here!

        Reply
    3. Catherine

      May 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      I have been wanting to start a cookbook collection like my mom's and this would be the perfect first cookbook of many! The cookbook and pictures look beautiful! I can't wait to try the recipes

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 16, 2015 at 8:42 pm

        It is gorgeous Catherine! What a fun thing to start, this would be a perfect way to begin. Good luck!

        Reply
    4. Justin

      May 16, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      My wife and I would love to win this as our very first vegan cookbook..I am sure there are a lot of good recipes in there. It would help immensely with meal planning-thanks for the opportunity

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 16, 2015 at 8:41 pm

        You are welcome Justin! It would be a perfect book as your first vegan cookbook. It's filled with amazing recipes! Good luck and thank you for being here!

        Reply
    5. Kelly F

      May 16, 2015 at 12:18 pm

      I have made many of Kathys recipes and they all turn out wonderful! I bet her cookbook is amazing....thank you for the chance to win!! 🙂 ................I am definitely going to have to make these cookies soon! They look delicious and so simple to whip together! 🙂

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 16, 2015 at 8:39 pm

        You are so welcome! Her book is amazing and so is she. Wonderful person and chef! You definitely should make the cookies, they are awesome!

        Reply
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