Thumbprint cookies always remind me of jewels; I love the way the jam glistens in the center of each cookie. Though thumbprints often turn up at the holidays, there’s no reason not to break tradition and I’m doing just that with this blackberry lime variation.
These summer darlings practically melt in your mouth thanks to the tangy cream cheese dough infused with lime zest. A quick stovetop blackberry jam serves as the filling; sweet but not too sweet, it tastes of blissful summer days. Top each cookie with a fresh blackberry and sprinkle of lime-sugar for a sparkling finish.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp lime zest
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling
- 3/4 cup blackberries
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp lime juice
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place sugar and lime zest in a food processor and pulse for one minute (set aside 1 tablespoon of lime sugar to top cookies). Beat butter and cream cheese in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until smooth; add lime-sugar and beat until creamy. Beat in egg yolk and lime juice until combined. Whisk together flour and salt in a medium bowl; gradually add to mixer on low speed, beating just until incorporated. Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or up to overnight.
- Meanwhile, make the blackberry filling. Place blackberries in a saucepan and mash until crushed. Add sugar, lime juice, and salt; bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until reduced and thickened. Remove from heat and place in a bowl to cool to room temperature.
- Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Form 22 (1 1/4-inch) balls of dough and place two inches apart on baking sheets; make an indentation in each. Chill shaped thumbprints and cooled filling in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F and fill each thumbprint with about a 1/2 teaspoon of jam. Chill filled cookies in the freezer for 5 minutes, then bake for 11 to 12 minutes, until edges are set. Cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, top cookies with a fresh blackberry and sprinkle with reserved lime sugar.
Notes
Filling can be made ahead and kept overnight in the refrigerator. Inspired by Two Red Bowls.
Nutrition
- Calories: 95
22 comments
Those blackberries!!! Wow, these look incredible!
I love these! They look so beautiful. I love the idea of the blackberry lime filling – a lovely tangy contrast to the sweet creamy biscuit. I will have to try!
Love!!!
Totally yummy!
Loving the blackberry and lime combination and the cream cheese in the cookie. Love it all!
I am enjoying a cup of blackberries right now kind of wishing they would turn into these cookies. SO gorgeous!
I love that you made the filling and didn’t use blackberry jam! So pretty too!
I just love the idea of adding a whole blackberry to the cookies – beautiful!
Whole blackberries on top!? Swoon!
Wow I can’t believe how wonderful these cookies looks. What a number one idea. I make thumb print cookies, but you have outdone me by far. Soooooo I am going to steal your glory by pinning and baking your cookie. Ha! And Thank you.
You’re right! They DO look like jewels! That filling, though… yummzies!! It sounds so good!
These are gorgeous! I love the way the filling glistens in the middle, too!
I saw these on my feedly the other day and fell in love. Such a gorgeous pairing of the creamy cookies and the dark blackberry filling. And what a great flavor combo too!
I agree. . thumbprint cookies are something special. . what a beautiful way to celebrate summer berries!
Oh, Laura, these are gorgeous! And you’re totally right–they look like the tastiest little gems in the world. I have such a soft spot for thumbprint cookies and I can’t wait to make these!
You’re right, Laura! These shouldn’t just be for holidays! Especially when you can use seasonal fruit for the filling! Well done!
Thumbprint cookies make me smile, and take me back home. Your recipe sounds refreshing with mixing blackberry and lime. Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra
I love the whole blackberry at the top Laura! So adorable 😀
Oh my gosh – I love a great thumbprint cookie! Yours are simply divine and my hubby would eat a dozen of these in one sitting.
So pretty! They do remind me of jewels! Hmm edible jewels sound very good. 😀
I love thumbprint cookies. I also love blackberry and lime as a combo. Need to make these soon.
Ok, your website is officially becoming dangerous for me. I want to make everything!