Expiration & Storage Tips
When does Thumbprint Cookies expire?
Thumbprint cookies, whether homemade or store-bought, generally maintain their best quality for up to 1 to 2 weeks at normal room temperature. If you store your cookies in the fridge, you can extend their life to about 3 weeks. For long-term storage, freezing is an excellent option. Thumbprint cookies can last 2-3 months in the freezer while maintaining their taste and texture.
How do you tell if Thumbprint Cookies is bad?
Stale thumbprint cookies often become excessively hard or soft, depending on the recipe. Your once crispy cookie might have a mushy texture, while your soft and chewy treat might have turned into a hard biscuit. Also, if there are any signs of mold (generally white or green fuzzy spots), or if they have an off smell, discard the cookies immediately.
Tips for storing Thumbprint Cookies to extend shelf life
• To keep your thumbprint cookies fresh for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. • If you're dealing with a hot and humid environment, consider refrigerating your cookies to prevent them from going stale. • Consider placing a piece of white bread in the cookie container. The cookies absorb the moisture from the bread, keeping them soft longer. • When freezing thumbprint cookies, be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer-safe bag or container. Write the date of freezing on the bag for quick recognition. • To defrost, simply take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the cookie's texture.
FAQs
Bake the dough: Bake the coated dough balls until slightly puffed. Fill with jam: Use your thumb to press a dent into each cookie. Fill the thumbprint with jam. Finish baking: Continue baking until set.
Why did my thumbprint cookies spread? ›
Mixing Butter & Sugar
If your butter is under mixed, it won't have the air pockets to hold it's shape. If it's over-mixed, the air pockets decrease in size and are unable to hold their shape in the oven—causing your cookies to spread. It's best to cream butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes.
Why did my thumbprint cookies come out flat? ›
Why did my Thumbprint Cookies go flat? The most common reason that thumbprint cookies may go flat is an incorrect ratio of butter to flour. Be sure to follow my tips above for properly measuring flour.
Why did my thumbprint cookies crack? ›
Why do my Thumbprint Cookies crack? Make sure when you are pressing the back of the teaspoon or your thumb into the center of the cookie dough you don't press too hard. Gently press!
How do you keep thumbprint cookies from sticking together? ›
You can also separate each layer of cookies with wax paper (something we do in our packaging) to keep them from sticking together and falling apart.
Why are my thumbprint cookies dry? ›
Overmixing the dough
If you overmix the dough, the cookies will be dry and crumbly. The best way to fix this is to add more liquid to the dough. This can be done by adding milk, water, or even melted butter. You may also need to add more flour to the dough if it is too wet.
How to keep thumbprint cookies from spreading in the oven? ›
Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Coating your baking sheet with nonstick spray or butter creates an overly greasy foundation, causing the cookies to spread. I always recommend a silicone baking mat because they grip onto the bottom of your cookie dough, preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
What is the shelf life of thumbprint cookies? ›
What is the Shelf Life of Thumbprint Cookies? You can either store your cookies at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days on the counter and for up to 5 in the fridge. Whether you chill them or choose not to, you should keep them in an airtight container.
Should I use baking powder or baking soda for cookies? ›
Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.
How do you keep thumbprint cookies fresh? ›
Store your baked thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. There's no need to refrigerate. These cookies will keep for at least a week before starting to dry out and get crumbly.
Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.
What is another name for thumbprint cookies? ›
Hallongrotta (plural: hallongrottor) is the name of a common Swedish cookie. The name means raspberry cave in Swedish. In the United States they are known as thumbprint cookies, as well as by many other names. Similar cookies sold in Australia are known as jam drops.
Can thumbprint cookie dough be frozen? ›
Store jam thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze jam thumbprint cookies after they have cooled for 3 hours (the jam needs to set). Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Cookie dough make be frozen for up to 3 months.
Do you shape cookies before or after baking? ›
Should I Use A Cookie Cutter Before Or After Baking? Forming cookies before putting them in the oven is the most common practice. Many shape their cookies before baking to ensure cookies come out properly shaped and to make the most of their dough.
Does order matter when making cookies? ›
Incorporating ingredients into the dough in the wrong order can entirely throw off your cookies. It's not just enough to mix the dough for the correct amount of time — the order that you incorporate ingredients into the dough matters.
Do you put icing on cookies before or after baking? ›
Frosting Method
Top your cooled cookies with frosting. Before it sets, simply drop on your sprinkles of choice.
