Name: Easy Austrian Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Apricot Jam
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 250 g unsalted butter, room temperature; 100 g brown sugar or granulated sugar; 1 egg, room temperature; Pinch salt; 50 g unsweetened baking cocoa; 300 g all purpose flour; 300 g finely strained apricot jam, warmed; For the decoration:; 100 g melted dark chocolate; 50 g chocolate sprinkles

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A simple, deeply traditional cookies recipe inspired by Austria’s most iconic cake – the Sachertorte.

These jam thumbprint cookies with a chocolate cookie dough base bring together a soft, buttery dough, rich cocoa and bright apricot jam. They require no chilling time, shape easily, and deliver that classic Austrian flavour combination beloved during the Christmas season. Whether you’re searching for the perfect christmas thumbprint cookie recipe, a sweet treat with a festive touch or a jam-filled classic, this recipe fits effortlessly into your holiday season. Chocolate thumbprint cookies have to be on your christmas cookies baking list!

Why You Should Bake These Cookies This Christmas

They honour the famous Sachertorte, look elegant on a Christmas cookie tray, deliver deep chocolate flavour with minimal effort, store beautifully for gifting, and offer a nostalgic, family-friendly baking moment — exactly the kind of tradition that makes Christmas baking meaningful.

These easy Austrian Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are soft, buttery, and filled with warm apricot jam— inspired by the classic Sachertorte. A simple no-chill recipe that’s perfect for Christmas baking and always turns out beautifully.

Ingredients

For the dough:

250 g unsalted butter, room temperature
100 g brown sugar or granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature
Pinch of salt
50 g unsweetened baking cocoa
300 g all purpose flour

For the filling:

300 g finely strained apricot jam, warmed

For the decoration:

100 g melted dark chocolate
50 g chocolate sprinkles

Extras : prepare a baking tray with parchment paper, a kitchen scale, stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer

Yield & Timing

Yield: approx. 35 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Instructions

1. Make the dough

Start with room-temperature butter — properly softened butter creams smoothly and incorporates air, which keeps the dough soft and prevents the cookies from cracking when shaped. Beat the butter, sugar and egg until light and creamy in a mixing bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment .

In a medium bowl sift flour, cocoa powder and salt directly into the bowl. Mix until a smooth, soft dough forms. Because of the butter structure, the dough requires no chilling.

2. Shape the cookies (simple shaping instruction)

Scoop teaspoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into even 1-inch balls between your hands. This dough shapes easily and cleanly, making it perfect for beginners and family baking.

Place the balls on a with parchment prepared baking sheet. Using the rounded end of a wooden spoon, press a clean, deep hollow into the center of each cookie ball — the classic “thumbprint”.

3. Bake

Bake at 180 °C (356 °F) for 10 minutes, until the edges are slightly set but the centres remain soft. Remove from the oven; the cookies may appear delicate but will firm up as they cool.

4. Fill & Decorate

While the baked cookies are still warm, fill each hollow with warmed apricot jam drops or your favorite jam. Let the cookies cool completely, then drizzle with melted dark chocolate and finish with chocolate sprinkles.

Pro Tips for Success

Use soft, room-temperature butter so the dough mixes smoothly and doesn’t produce dough cracks.
Press the indent of the dough balls gently but deep enough to hold the jam.
Warm the jam slightly so it fills the center neatly.
Don’t overbake—take the cookies out when the edges are just set.
Let the cookies cool completely before adding the chocolate drizzle.

Substitute with different jams

Apricot jam is traditional for Austrian pastries, but you can easily switch it depending on taste or availability for another type of jam. Raspberry jam gives a bright, tangy contrast similar to Linzer cookies. Cherry or plum jam works beautifully with chocolate and creates a deeper, more robust flavor. For a sweeter option, strawberry preserves and make strawberry jam cookies; for a modern twist, try orange marmalade, which mimics the citrus notes sometimes paired with dark chocolate. Whichever filling you choose, make sure it’s smooth and slightly warmed so it fills the jam thumbprints cleanly.

Storage and Freezing Advice

These cookies store beautifully — a big advantage during the busy Christmas season.

Storage:
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. Their flavour even deepens slightly over time, similar to many traditional Austrian baked goods or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Freezing:
For best results, freeze the cookies unfilled:

Shape and bake the cookies as directed.
Let them cool completely.
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

When ready to serve, thaw the frozen cookies at room temperature, fill with warmed apricot jam and decorate with chocolate.

This method keeps the texture crisp on the outside, soft in the centre, and prevents moisture issues in the jam.

Conclusion

These Austrian Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies combine tradition, simplicity and a flavour profile rooted in the heritage of the Sachertorte. They are reliable, beautiful and ideal for anyone searching for christmas cookie recipes, chocolate cookie recipes or a classic jam cookie recipe.
With the right butter temperature, clear timing, easy shaping and proper storage techniques, they turn out perfectly every single time — just the way good baking has always been done.

Final Words – Why You Should Make These Cookies

These cookies are the perfect mix of simple baking and unforgettable flavor. They bring the classic taste of rich chocolate and sweet apricot jam together in a way that feels warm, traditional, and truly special. They’re easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for gifting, and festive enough for any Christmas table. If you want a cookie that always works, looks beautiful, and carries a touch of Austrian charm, then this is the recipe you shouldn’t miss. Just bake them once—and they’ll become a holiday favourite in your home.

Sweet Hugs Nina

Did you make my delicious, easy Sacher chocolate thumbprint cookies recipe? Let me know, and tag me on Instagram. Or leave me some kind words and a star rating. I will always be thankful for that 😉