Easy 5-Ingredient Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

This easy recipe for 5-Ingredient Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprint cookies are as beautiful as they are simple to make. Soft and buttery, with the bright taste of raspberries, these melt-in-your mouth beauties are sure to become one of your favorite butter cookie recipes.

I love any kind of shortbread cookie, from my traditional shortbread cookies (perfect, easy Christmas cookie) or these Lemon Cranberry Bars.

You might also enjoy these delicious recipes; try my Christmas Muddy Buddy recipe, Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies (the best!), sparkling Cranberry Christmas cake.

Key Ingredients & Optional Add-Ins

• Cream Cheese | Adds richness and a fluffy texture, I like full fat for this recipe – only 5 ingredients and all!
• Butter | I used salted European butter for its rich and slightly tangy taste and its higher butterfat. Really though, have you ever met a butter you didn’t like?
• Sugar | I use organic cane sugar for fabulous results. White sugar works as well.
• Pastry Flour | This low protein flour is designed to make pastries lighter and more delicate. See tip below for how to easily convert you all-purpose flour to pastry flour.
• Raspberry Preserves (regular or seedless) | I prefer seedless raspberry jam. Real fruit preserves are thick and will hold their shape during baking. Not a fan or raspberry? Try strawberry, apricot or plum preserves.

Optional Add-Ins

• Vanilla | Real vanilla extract has a heavenly scent and improves any of your baked goods.
• Sparkling Sugar | Adds a touch of shimmer and a nice sweet crunch.
• Swedish Pearl Sugar | This sugar also add sweetness and crunch and looks like mini pearls.
• Glaze | A simple powdered sugar glaze adds flavor and elegance to this thumbprint cookie recipe. Yes please!

Let’s Make Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1 | Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or mixing bowl with hand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium-high speed. Scrape down the sides every few minutes. 

Step 2 | Mix the Dry Ingredients

Gather your dry ingredients, and with the mixer on medium, add sugar, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 6-8 minutes until mixture is extremely light and fluffy.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Measure pastry flour into a bowl and using a whisk, gently stir or if desired, sift.

Reduce to low speed speed and add in flour ¼ cup at a time, mixing just until incorporated. If needed, scrape down sides of bowl occasionally. 

Step 3 | Refrigerate Dough

Do not skip this important step! Place cookie dough in fridge, covered with plastic wrap for about 45 minutes but no longer than 2 hours (it will get too firm). About 30 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line several baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 4 | Form and Fill Cookies

Using a small cookie scoop (about a tablespoon of so, around the size of a walnut) scoop dough onto a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment.

In the center of each cookie, press with your thumb lightly (hence thumbprint cookies) or you can use the bottom of a muddler (then make this cherry cocktail 😉 ) or a rounded teaspoon bottom. 

Dip it in a little powdered sugar first to keep from sticking. If desired, roll one edge of cookie in a little sparkling sugar or Swedish pearl sugar. Fill each indentation with a little jam, about ½ a teaspoon. 

Step 5 | Bake

Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden. Your bake time may vary depending on your oven, every oven heats slightly different. It’s always a good idea to test your oven using an oven thermometer.

Allow to cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling wire rack. They will be very soft out of the oven, but that’s okay, it gives them their melt-away flavor and texture!

Step 6 | Glaze

For a special touch, while cookies are still on the cooling rack, add a little drizzle of frosting. Mix together powdered sugar, cream and a touch of vanilla, stir until desired consistency. For best results, drizzle glaze over the cooled cookies and enjoy!

Variations & Substitutions

• Use your favorite jam or preserves, but raspberry, strawberry and 4 fruits preserves are the best, making your 5 ingredient raspberry cheesecake thumbprint cookies look like little jewels.
• Make your own pastry flour by adding 2 tsp. of cornstarch to a one-cup measuring cup. Fill the rest of the cup with all-purpose flour. Mix or sift the flour mixture to ensure the cornstarch is well incorporated, check out my Baking Substitutions Chart for more ideas!
• These are a tender, flaky, soft cookie, pastry flour lends to that. I used Bob’s Red Mill Fine Pastry Flour (available at Safeway and Whole Foods), but you can make the cookies with regular all-purpose flour.
• Unsalted Butter | I use salted butter in almost all of my baking, if using unsalted, add a ¼ teaspoon of salt. 
• Less Cookies? Cut the recipe in half for fewer cookies! Use the meter (under servings) on the recipe card to do the math for you. 
• Use a cream cheese filling and top with fresh raspberries.
• Add a splash of almond extract to the cookie dough and the icing.

Add a Gift Tag

Download my free Christmas from the kitchen of gift tags, package cookies in cello bags and tie with a little string. Ta-da! Beautiful cookie packages!

Or perhaps you want to print out these every day from the Kitchen of… gift tags that fit more with Valentine’s day — which these cookies would be perfect for as well!

Toppings Suggestions for Raspberry Cookie

• Sprinkle cookies after baking with a little sparking sugar or Swedish pearl sugar for a bit more pop. Or try brown sugar!
• Melt and drizzle white chocolate over the cooled cookies, or for an extra decadent treat drizzle a combo of white and dark or milk chocolate.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans or toasted coconut on cookie.

High Altitude Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

• Increase flour by 3 tablespoons
• Decrease sugar to ¾ cup
• Bake at regular temperature, but for slightly less time, more around the 10 minute mark.

Gluten-Free Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

These light and buttery cookies are easily made gluten-free. Swap out the pastry flour with fine ground almond flour and proceed with the recipe, or use a combination of ½ almond flour and ½ cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free flour.

How to Store Raspberry Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Do I need to refrigerate thumbprint cookies?

Store these cookies on the counter for up to 2 days in an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper between layers. Or, for longer lasting cookies, store up to 5 days in the refrigerator in airtight containers, bringing to room temperature before enjoying. 

How do I make these cookies ahead of time?

Scoop cookie dough, make indents and store in the fridge up to 3 days. Chill on a baking sheet in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes before placing cookie dough balls carefully next to one another in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers. To bake, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven, fill with jam and proceed with the recipe. 

Can I freeze these cookies?

Absolutely! Cookie dough may be frozen for up to 3 months if properly stored, wrap well in parchment, then place in airtight freezer baggie. Thaw overnight in fridge, or on counter for about an hour, then add jam and bake in preheated oven.

To freeze after baking, cool 5 ingredient raspberry cheesecake thumbprint cookies completely, layer cookies in a large airtight container, placing wax paper or parchment between layers.

More great cookie recipes

• Pennsylvania Dutch Chocolate Cookies
• Pan Banging Sugar Cookies
• Cream Cheese Cookies
• Oreo Crumbl Cookie
• Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe
• Sand Tarts
• Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Try these other Raspberry and Fruit Inspired Recipes

• Best White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake {Nothing Bundt Cake Copycat Recipe}
• Healthy 3-Ingredient Raspberry Glazed Salmon
• Blueberry Pancake Bundt Cake Recipe
• Easy Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Recipe
• Blueberry Crumb Coffee Cake

I hope you loved this 5 Ingredient Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!