Swedish cakes are shortbread-like cookies consisting of jam in the centre and chopped walnuts around the edges which makes for a beautiful treat. Also called thumbprint cookies because you press down on each cookie with your thumb but I prefer the name Swedish cakes.
These are super tasty yet pretty enough for a princess. I’m not sure why they are called cakes when they are actually cookies, although I’m not complaining!
Swedish Cakes
Cream together 3/4 cups butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 egg yolk (save the egg white for later) and blend. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and mix until the dough comes together. After you add the flour the cookie dough will be a little crumbly at first, this is normal! As you continue mixing, the dough will come together.
Roll into small balls about 3/4 inch in diameter. Dip in the egg white and roll in 1 cup of finely chopped walnuts. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and press down in the centre of each cookie.
Bake for 5 minutes in preheated 300° F oven. Press down on the centres again and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until golden. While still hot fill the centres with your favourite jam or jelly. I’ve used homemade blueberry jam and blackberry jam…so good!
These cookies are quite easy to make despite their appearance. Makes 27 cookies. Expect a lot of compliments on these delicious cookies 🙂
Do Thumbprint Cookies Need to be Refrigerated?
There’s no need to refrigerate. Store your baked Swedish cakes in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies will keep for at least a week before starting to dry out and get crumbly. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. I love to bake cookies beforehand and take them out just before I need them. We do this every year to prep for Christmas.
Do you like to bake cookies for Christmas too? If so, what cookies do you bake every year? Or what is a new recipe you want to try this year? Answer in the comments below!
Swedish Cakes
Swedish cakes are shortbread like cookies consisting of jam in the centre and chopped walnuts around the edges which makes for a beautiful treat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cups butter
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour all-purpose
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
- jam or jelly for centres
Instructions
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Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla and egg yolk (reserving egg white for later) and blend. Add flour and mix until dough comes together.
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Roll into small balls about 3/4 inch diameter. Dip in the egg white and roll in walnuts. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and press down in the centres.
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Bake at 300° F for 5 minutes. Press down on the centres again and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until golden. Fill the centres with your favourite jam or jelly while the cookies are still hot. Makes 27.
Did you make this recipe?
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Also, try these other great cookie recipes:
Originally published on October 23rd, 2018, updated on November 1st, 2022.
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