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    Home » All posts » Heart Healthy Desserts

    Healthy Thumbprint Cookies

    Published: Apr 13, 2023 by Laura Yautz

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cookies that are easy and healthy, with a delicious nutty flavor complemented by sweet jam. These Healthy Thumbprint Cookies are low sugar and low fat, and free of dairy and eggs.

    They're made with a combination of whole wheat pastry flour and almond flour to keep the cookie moist and light with tons of flavor!

    Three cookies on a wooden platter.

    In addition to being heart healthy, these thumbprint cookies are vegan, as we're not using eggs, milk, butter, or any other animal products.

    These healthy cookies are great for Christmas, Easter, or really just because. They are low fat, low sugar, and low sodium, making them a perfect end to any meal.

    You may wish to learn more about how to cook with less salt.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    The base of our thumbprint cookies is a blend of almond flour and whole wheat pastry flour. Do not try to substitute whole wheat flour. Your cookies will turn out very dense.

    Ingredients for thumbprint cookies.
    • Whole wheat pastry flour
    • Almond flour
    • Salt
    • Unsweetened applesauce
    • 100% pure maple syrup
    • Grapeseed oil
    • Vanilla extract
    • No added sugar fruit jam

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    These healthy thumbprint cookies are prepared almost the same as regular thumbprint cookies.

    Dry cookie ingredients in a bowl.

    Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix.

    Wet cookie ingredients in a bowl.

    In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredient and mix.

    Wet and dry cookie ingredients, combined, in a bowl.

    Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

    Cookie dough in a bowl.

    Mix well, until a thick dough forms.

    Cookie dough formed into balls on a cookie sheet.

    Form balls with one tablespoon of dough each.

    Unbaked cookies on a cookie sheet, showing using a teaspoon to make indentations in thumbprint cookies.

    Use a the back of a teaspoon (or your thumb) to press wells into the balls of dough, being careful they don't crack apart.

    Unbaked cookies filled with jam.

    Fill each well with jam.

    Baked cookies on a cookie sheet.

    Bake until the cookies just start to brown and no more.

    Hint: if the dough cracks apart too much when you are forming the indentation, the jam will leak out as it bakes. Make sure to firmly press the dough together as you roll the balls.

    Substitutions

    Try some of these substitutions if you need a modification:

    • Flour - to make these gluten free, use an all purpose gluten free flour instead of the whole wheat pastry flour. It will no longer be whole grain unless your gluten free flour is whole grain.
    • Oil - use sunflower, peanut or canola oil instead of grapeseed. A neutral oil will be best, which is why I'm not recommending olive oil for this particular recipe.
    • Sweetener - use either white or brown sugar in place of maple syrup. Honey does not work well in this recipe.
    • Nut free - to make this nut free, use ½ cup finely ground sunflower seeds instead of almond flour, or simply use an extra ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour.

    Variations

    Here are several ideas on how to mix up this recipe for a little variety!

    • Walnuts - use finely ground walnuts (or any finely ground nut) in place of almond flour
    • Jam - I use strawberry jam, but blueberry, cherry, or even orange marmalade would work great (learn more about choosing a healthy jelly)
    • Applesauce - try a flavored unsweetened applesauce for extra flavor, like strawberry or blueberry. You can even use a mashed banana instead if you like.

    You might also really like these Peanut Butter and Jelly Dessert Bars.

    Storage

    Almond flour thumbprint cookies will store great in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days. You might get a few more days out of them if it's not hot and humid.

    These can be frozen for up to six months. Thaw at room temperature for an hour or two.

    Top tip

    Absolutely use whole wheat pastry flour for this and other baked goods. If you try to use regular whole wheat flour, your cookies will be hard and dense.

    FAQ

    Can I use all almond flour for these?

    No. This particular recipe will not turn out if you use all almond flour.

    Why are my cookies cracking so much when I put the thumbprint in them?

    This can happen for two reasons. Either the dough it too dry, or you are trying to indent them too fast or too deeply.

    Try pressing down more slowly, and not as deep first. If that doesn't work, you can try remixing the dough with a few teaspoons of water and trying again.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

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      Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies (no-bake)
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      Peanut Butter and Jelly Dessert Bars
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      Cherry Filled Chocolate Date Truffles
    • Close up of Fudgy Mocha Black Bean Brownies
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    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with Healthy Thumbprint Cookies:

    • Pink beverage in a glass.
      Hibiscus Rose Cooler
    • Overhead image of a casserole in a casserole dish, with a bowl of steamed broccoli nearby.
      Italian Lentil & Rice Pantry Casserole
    • Baking pan of lasagna rolls.
      Zucchini Lasagna Rolls (dairy free)
    • Stuffed honeynut squash halves on a baking pan.
      Roasted Honeynut Squash Stuffed with Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

    📖 Recipe

    Overhead image of three thumbprint cookies on a platter with strawberry jam in them
    0 from 0 votes
    Print

    Healthy Thumbprint Cookies

    Thumbprint cookies that are easy and healthy, with a delicious nutty flavor complemented by sweet jam.

    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 18 cookies
    Calories 91 kcal
    Author Laura Yautz

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
    • ½ cup Almond Flour
    • ⅛ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
    • ¼ cup 100% Pure Maple Syrup
    • 2 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ⅓ cup No Added Sugar Fruit Jam

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
    2. In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, and salt.
    3. In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
    4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, and mix thoroughly.
    5. Measure out the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, and roll it into a ball.
    6. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. You will probably need two baking sheets, or will have to do two batches.
    7. Now use the back of a teaspoon (or your thumb) to gently press a hole into each ball. It’s ok if they crack a little.
    8. Fill each hole with no added sugar jam.
    9. Bake 12-15 minutes, until the cookies are just starting to brown.
    10. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.
    Nutrition Facts
    Healthy Thumbprint Cookies
    Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
    Calories 91 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1.2g
    Sodium 17mg1%
    Potassium 53mg2%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 5.6g6%
    Protein 2g4%
    Calcium 13.75mg1%
    Iron 0.42mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Two cookies on a wooden platter, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Text overlay: Almond flour thumbprint cookies; low sugar, dairy and egg free.

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    Laura Yautz

    Hi, I'm Laura! I’m a Registered Dietitian and I love food and cooking, It’s my passion to help you discover how delicious and easy heart healthy eating can be! I’m glad you’re here! Take a look around. You’re going to LOVE Being Nutritious!

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