PEANUT BUTTER THUMBPRINT BISCUITS WITH WHISKEY MARMALADE, kid's option; indulgence

Thumbprint biscuits are a pint-sized sweet, a small mouthful that leaves a lasting impression...in a good way!

updated 9/24

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Whiskey Marmalade, alcohol-free opt

'Loved the peanut butter flavour & the crumbliness of the cookies.'

Thumbprint cookies originate in Sweden, where their name translates to 'strawberry cave'.  The bite-sized lovelies were adopted by America and Australia.  

Obviously, the thumbprint refers to the way a depression is pressed into cookie dough and filled with jam, though nowadays the back of a measuring spoon might be considered more hygienic.

67goingon50 first ventured into thumbprint territorwith Peanut Butter 'n Jelly Kisses, aimed at kids, for making and eating.

This new recipe is thumbprints on steroids; a sophisticated version for adults.  They'd make a lovely end of cocktail party treat.

The shortbread base is extra rich & crumbly, and fragrant with peanut butter'; Marmalade with Whisky* (from 67's Blackout cupboard) replaces jam.

Cost:  min £2.50'ish, depending on choice of ingredients  (9/24)

Makes: 10; recipe doubles nicely

Ingredients:

55gm/scant 2 oz soft unsalted butter or dairy-free margarine

85gm/3 oz peanut butter, crunchy for pref

25gm/scant oz white sugar

12gm/scant 1/2oz brown sugar

    OR 40 gms/1.4oz white sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla 
    
120gm/4.2oz plain white flour +
15gm/0.5 oz wholemeal 

     OR 140gm/5oz white flour

1/4-1/3 cup Whiskey Marmalade (or jam or chocolate-hazelnut spread) 

     

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180c/350f; or set air fryer to bake at 170c/325f
2. Whip butters together until structure breaks down (a few seconds);  beat in sugar until fluffy - a few minutes; blend in vanilla
3. Add flour; mix until throughly blended; don't expect it to turn into dough; it becomes a very sandy mix that forms a shape when squeezed together
4. Use a small metal scoop (see Tips below) to form a ball; drop it in your (clean or gloved) palm; roll/press the dough into a circular shape; press to a generous 1/2in/2cm depth; place on tray; press the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon into the centre to form a depression. 

5. 

   from left: squashed ball, flattened, imprinted

   
   
6. Notes: a) The cookies may split a little around the edges; if you like, squeeze them back together, taking the opportunity to gently widen the depression.  b) Roll and press each cookie before doing the next; rolling them all before pressing them all doesn't give as nice a result.
7. Bake 10-12 mins in oven; 11 mins in air fryer
8. Cool completely; store in air-tight tin up to two days 
9. When ready to serve: Adults: fill depression with whiskey marmalade; Kids and tee-totallers: fill with jam or  nutella (your own or store-bought.  All fillings straight from the jar

Comments:

'Luxuriously crumbly and rich; the whiskey marmalade is inspired!' Retired writer

'We all loved the peanut butter flavour and the crumbliness of the biscuits; one liked the marmalade and thought it a nice contrast but  two found the whiskey marmalade overpowering.'  Political agent; senior campaigner; Boston U intern

Tips:

1. Most thumbprint cookies fill the depression before baking; 67 finds the filling shrivels up and dries when baked 
2. 67's small scoop holds 4 teaspoons or 0.66 liquid oz; it's 1.5inches/ 4cm in diameter (across the widest part)
3. Obviously you can make bigger cookies with a bigger scoop but cooking times will change

*M&S

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.