Sweet, chewy, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free! These date-sweetened thumbprint cookies are the perfect treat when you want something indulgent yet healthy. Filled with love and homemade jam, these cookies are as good as they look!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweetened – Uses date paste instead of refined sugar.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Egg-Free – Great for small-batch baking anytime.
- Guten-Free and Vegan – It really checks all the boxes for dietary restrictions 😄.
- Customizable – Use your favorite jam flavor for the filling.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Almond Flour – Provides a soft, chewy texture. Using oat flour, or even mixing the two, works perfectly as well!
- Homemade Date Paste – Naturally sweetens the cookies, and is so easy to make!
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor.
- Melted Coconut Oil, Butter, or Olive Oil – Adds moisture and richness.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Cinnamon (optional) – Adds warmth and depth.
- Date-Sweetened Jam – Easily make your own homemade blueberry jam, or experiment with other fillings!
How to Make This Recipe
- Preheat the Oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough – In a bowl, mix the almond flour, date paste, vanilla extract, melted oil, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until a thick dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies – Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring space between each cookie.
- Create Thumbprints – Press your thumb into the center of each dough ball to create an indentation, then fill each one with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake – Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
- Cool and Serve – Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving. This helps them firm up while keeping a soft center.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Different Jams – Try various flavors to keep things interesting.
- Make a Bigger Batch – Double the recipe and freeze extras for later.
- Adjust Sweetness – If you want a sweeter cookie, add an extra teaspoon of date paste.
- Texture Preference – For a crunchier texture, bake for an extra 2 minutes.
How to Store
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.
Enjoy these wholesome, naturally sweetened thumbprint cookies anytime you need a healthy treat!
Date-Sweetened Thumbprint Cookies
Sweet, chewy, and totally refined sugar-free! 🍪 These date-sweetened thumbprint cookies are the perfect treat when you want something indulgent yet healthy.
servings 24 small cookies
calories 60kcal
ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/3 cup homemade date paste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (butter or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 3-4 tbsp of homemade date-sweetened jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the almond flour, date paste, vanilla extract, olive oil, salt and cinnamon in a bowl until a thick dough forms.
- Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet.
- Press your thumb into each ball to create an indentation, then fill with 1/2 teaspoon of homemade jam.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving, and enjoy!
Notes
Storage:
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.