Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

If you love peanut butter cookies with a twist, these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies are going to be your new favorite treat! With a soft, chewy base made from natural peanut butter, these cookies have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The magic happens when you fill the center of each cookie with a dollop of Nutella or your favorite jam. It’s a simple recipe that delivers big on flavor, perfect for the holiday season or any time you’re craving something sweet and satisfying. If you’re looking for a jam filled Thumbprint Cookie with glaze, I’ve got you covered too!

If you’re looking for more classic Christmas cookies, check out these –> Christmas Shortbread Cookies, Candy Cane Cookies, Gingerdoodle Sandwich Cookies, or 50+ Old Fashioned Christmas Cookie Recipes.

This recipe is as easy as it is delicious. With just a handful of pantry staples and no fancy equipment required, these cookies come together in no time. The combination of peanut butter’s nutty richness with the sweet filling creates a treat that’s impossible to resist. Whether you go for the classic peanut butter and jelly vibe or opt for a decadent chocolate center, these cookies are guaranteed to please.

These cookies are naturally gluten-free since there’s no flour involved, but you’d never guess it from their rich, chewy texture and incredible flavor. They’re proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something truly delicious! An optional last step is to sprinkle with some sea salt to get an extra added salty/sweet finish which I LOVE.

Ingredients Needed for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Basically, you should have most, if not all, the ingredients to make these today! Here’s what you’ll need to make these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies:

Natural Peanut Butter – I like to use chunky natural peanut butter for this recipe for a nice added crunch and some structure since I don’t use flour.
Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar – both are used to sweeten!
Egg – this adds all the structure these cookies need.
Vanilla extract – to flavor.
Nutella – this is stuffed into the middle of each thumbprint cookie. Alternatively you could use strawberry or raspberry jam!
Sea Salt – this is optional but highly recommended, I just love that salty sweet combo.

Variations

Use creamy peanut butter if you prefer a smoother texture.
Swap Nutella with dark chocolate ganache filling for a richer taste.
Try raspberry preserves or white chocolate chips for different flavor combinations.
Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a warm spice twist.

How to Make Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here are my easy step by step directions for making PB thumbprint cookies:

Step 1: Preheat + Prep Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment or silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 2: Make Cookie Dough

In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, stir peanut butter together with sugar, egg and vanilla extract until combined.

Step 3: Scoop, Bake + Cool

Scoop cookie dough balls onto prepared cookie sheet using cookie scoop. Bake 10 minutes, until cookies have slightly flattened and are not shiny. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes on baking sheet.

Step 4: Indent, Fill + Sprinkle

Press your thumb (or end of a wooden spoon) into the middle of each cookie. Spoon in 1/2 teaspoon of Nutella or jam filling into hole and sprinkle with sea salt.

Pro Tip: Nutella, fruit jams like raspberry or strawberry, or even peanut butter cups work wonderfully. Get creative with your favorite flavor combinations!

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

These cookies don’t need to be stored in the fridge however, you should store these in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days. Odds are they won’t last that long because they are *that* good!

As for freezing, I wouldn’t recommend freezing Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies. Since there isn’t any flour in these to give the cookies more structure they are prone to texture changes when frozen and thawed.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the cookie dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before scooping.

More Peanut Butter Cookies to Try!

Buckeyes
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies
Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies
Reese’s Pieces Cookies

These chewy peanut butter thumbprint cookies are a classic treat with endless possibilities for customization. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, they’re sure to become one of your go-to cookie recipes! The printable recipe card is down below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

These Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies are warm peanut butter cookies, stuffed with Nutella and sprinkled with a little salt.

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup chunky natural peanut butter
▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
▢ 1 egg
▢ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1/4 cup Nutella or strawberry jam
▢ sea salt optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
In large bowl, stir peanut butter together with sugar, egg and vanilla extract until combined.
Scoop onto prepared baking sheet using cookie scoop. Bake 10 minutes, until cookies have slightly flattened and are not shiny.
Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes on baking sheet.
Press thumb into the center of the warm cookie or use the back of a utensil to create an indentation.
Spoon in 1/2 teaspoon of Nutella into hole and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve.