I’ve loved thumbprints ever since I was a kid. Any recipe that tells me to jam my thumb into cookie dough and fill it with actual jam is a winner in my books. Did you ever eat those packaged cookies with the cream and gooey strawberry filling? Not technically a thumbprint cookie I guess, but they sure did taste amazing. I don’t even want to know how many sleeves of those cookies I ate growing up. I’m sure you’d still see a few clinging to my artery walls!
Today, I have a vegan and gluten-free version to add to my growing thumbprint recipe collection. This time, I set my heart on making a thumbprint with a lovely raspberry almond flavour using almonds, almond butter, almond extract, and raspberry jam as the feature ingredients. They turned out fantastic – lightly sweet, with a buttery almond flavour and pop of sweet raspberry goodness. If you are a fan of peanut butter and jam, you will love this “grown-up” version.
Served with a side of Gossip Girl on Monday night, it was the perfect balance of wholesome…and not so wholesome. Eric claims he isn’t a fan of both thumbprints and Gossip Girl, but I found him devouring both. Never trust a person who says they don’t like thumbprint cookies!
![IMG_9700 IMG_9700](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_9700.jpg)
![Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free and Vegan)](https://ohsheglows.com/gs_images/2015/03/IMG_9711-768x768.jpg)
Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies (Gluten-Free and Vegan)
![](https://ohsheglows.com/wp-content/plugins/osg-recipes/images/ornament_long_artichoke.png)
Yield
18 cookies
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups raw almonds, processed into almond meal (about 1.5 cups almond meal)
- 1/4 cup brown rice flour
- 2 tbsp ground flax
- 1/4 tsp + 1/8th tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
- 1/2 cup raw almond butter (see note)
- 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 5-6 tbsp raspberry jam
- approx 1/3 cup shredded coconut, for rolling
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray a large baking sheet with oil, use a silpat mat, or line with parchment paper.
- If making almond meal, place raw almonds into a high-speed blender. Process on high speed until a fine crumb, making sure not to process too long or the oils will release. Alternatively, you can use store bought almond meal.
- In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients (almond meal, rice flour, ground flax, salt, and baking powder). Use your fingers to break up any clumps of the almond meal. In a smaller bowl, mix together the almond butter, maple syrup, and almond extract. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir until combined.
- Shape dough into balls (about 1.5 tbsp or so). If dough is too sticky, place in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
- Roll balls in coconut. Place balls of dough about 1.5-2 inches apart on the baking sheet. With your thumb, press into the middle of the ball and shape a small well with your fingers. Add 1 tsp of jam into each well.
- Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes, watching closely after 9 minutes. I baked mine for 11.5 minutes. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack. Channel your inner grandma and enjoy with hot tea!
Tip:
If making these completely gluten-free be sure to check all your ingredients to ensure they are certified gluten-free. The almond butter I used is very "drippy" so I don’t suggest using a firm nut butter here. If you do, you may have to add some oil to the mixture. You can also roll the balls in chopped nuts instead of coconut.
If you find yourself with some delicious in-season raspberries (or other berries!), you can try making your own raspberry puree or jam for the middle. I would probably just smash some with a fork and add a bit of sweetener to taste!
I LOVE thumbprint cookies! I never would’ve thought to add the coconut to it; what a fun twist!!
You can also roll the balls into chopped nuts…I’ve done that before and it adds a great crunch!
These look delightful! I have been eyeing thumbprint cookies and I am excited to try a raw version too! Have a great day!
That’s funny, I made a raw version yesterday! I think it might be for the book though, I’m not sure yet. :)
THese look great!
These look excellent!
These look soooo good! Love the new header, by the way.
Ahh there seems to be cookies everywhere this morning… except in my kitchen!! These sound amazing Ange! Now that I’m home from Australia I’m totally craving fresh berries, especially raspberries. PS Love the new header!
Welcome back Ange!
For some reason I associate thumb print cookies with Christmas… Not sure why, I guess maybe that is when my mom used to make them. These ones look light and delicious, I can’t wait to try them with a fresh berry puree.
Wow, these look great! I like the idea of rolling them in nuts instead of coconut because my hubby is opposed to coconut. Mmm..
These look delicious! I’ve only ever made thumbprint cookies once, and then when I see recipes for them, I wonder why the heck I haven’t made them more often!
These cookies look very delicious, I love the coconut addition!!!
These are so pretty!
Random Gossip Girl story – I was in a little town in Italy and we saw a poster advertising the show. I guess the Italians are into it too! :)
These look amazing. I cannot wait to make this!
Yum!
I love thumb printcookies and recently gone gluten-free. Is almond meal the same as almond flour? Can you substitute them?
Hey Nancy, Great question! Almond FLOUR is made from blanched almonds, while almond meal is made from whole almonds with their skin on. Almond flour tends to be very fine whereas meal has a bit grainier or heartier texture.
You could probably sub almond flour for the meal in this recipe, although Im not sure if any adjustments would need to be made. I cant really find a reason as to why it wouldnt work!
Flour sub for the non gluten free folks? Spelt?
Hey Katie, Have you checked out this other thumbprint recipe on the blog? Its vegan but not gluten free. http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6001715
I used to make these cookies with my grandma all the time so it brings back good memories :) I love that they are GF and vegan! They look delicious
I have been on such a raspberry jam and almond butter kick… and I always love cookies! Thanks for a great recipe :)
Eeek! A vegan and gf version of my all-time favorite christmas cookie :)
Mouthwatering delicious. I will be using fresh strawberries for these right now since they are in season here in SC.
I actually made a similar version of these at Christmas time, except I made an almond butter chocolate filling instead of the jam. When my parents visited my husband and I for Christmas, my Dad polished them off quicker than any other cookie!I :)
Those look so delicious – I love thumbprint cookies!