Cherry Pecan Thumbprint Cookies not only look pretty, but they also taste amazing! A buttery cookie base, chock full of pecans and topped with a cherry filling, drizzled with white chocolate makes this cookie a decadent treat.
Pin Cherry Pecan Thumbprint Cookies to make later.
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Ingredients
There’s a good chance you have all of the ingredients on hand to make this cookie that my husband says, tastes like Christmas.
- Butter
- Shortening
- Salt
- Egg
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Vanilla
- Pecans
- Milk
- Confectioners’ Sugar
- Maraschino Cherries
- White Chocolate Chips
How to Make Thumbprints in a Cookie
I do not like using my thumb, or any other finger, to make the indentation in thumbprint cookies. It’s much easier, and less messy, to use the back of a teaspoon for these cookies.
If the teaspoon sticks, you can gently release it by moving it a bit or using your fingers to hold the cookie dough down.
Do this very gently so as not to make the bottom of the cookie indentation too thin or make a hole. If you do get a hole or tear, you can easily press the mistake together to fix it.
Tips for Making Maraschino Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
- Use a small cookie scoop to make evenly sized cookies. I use this OXO scoop.
- When dipping the balls in the egg white, use two forks to toss and transfer to the pecans. I use Millican Pecans grown in Texas.
- Use a ¼ teaspoon to fill the thumbprint indentations. It’s just the right amount.
- I use a fork to drizzle the white chocolate so there aren’t big dollops on the cookie.
I’m a big fan of cookies with pecans but not everyone loves them as much as I do. One of the reasons I keep pecans is because my husband has a walnut allergy. If you prefer walnuts to pecans, you can certainly substitute them. Just make sure they are finely chopped
Similar Cookies
By similar cookies I mean thumbprints cookies and cherry cookies that you can find on the site.
- Mint Chocolate Thumbprints – one of the most popular Christmas cookies on the blog!
- Cherry Pecan Shortbread Rounds – more cherry goodness in a shortbread cookie.
- Easter M&M Thumbprint Cookies – I know, not something you’d make for Christmas but a thumbprint none the less!
Wednesday Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Andes Peppermint Oatmeal Cookies from Christmas Tree Lane
- Cherry Pecan Thumbprint Cookies from Family Around the Table
- Chocolate Linzer Cookies from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossoms from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cinnamon Spiral Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Dark Rum Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Easy Sugar Sprinkle Cookies from Palatable Pastime
- Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies from Frugal & Fit
- Gingerbread Cookie Bars from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Ginger-Lemon Delights from Sweet Beginnings
- Glazed Orange Carrot Cookies from The Spiffy Cookie
- Italian Ricotta Cookies from Jen around the world
- Melted Snowman Cookies from Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Mexican Wedding Cookies from Shockingly Delicious
- Pecan Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies from Kate’s Recipe Box
- Pistachio Rose Cookies from Magical Ingredients
- Reindeer Cookies from Devour Dinner
- S’Mores Cookie Bars from An Affair from the Heart
- S’Mores Drop Cookies from Daily Dish Recipes
- Snickerdoodles from Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Speculoos Cookies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Stained Glass Cookies from Art of Natural Living
- Whipped Shortbread Cookies from Take Two Tapas
- White Chocolate Espresso Cookies from Blogghetti
Cherry Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
A cookie that tastes like Christmas.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ¼ cup butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, separated, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Filling
- ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
- 2 teaspoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon milk
Topping
- 24 maraschino cherries, dried off
- 6 ounces good-quality white chocolate chips, I use Ghirardelli
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, shortening, brown sugar, and salt until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla until well incorporated.
- Gradually beat the flour into creamed mixture. Refrigerate cookie dough, covered, until easy to handle, at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg white until foamy. Place pecans on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Using a #60 (2 teaspoon) cookie scoop, shape dough into balls. Dip balls in the egg white then roll in pecans.
- Place balls 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press an indentation in the center of each with the back of a teaspoon, being careful not to make the bottom too thin or create a hole. Bake until edges are light brown, 10 - 12 minutes. Remove pans from the oven and let cool for 3 minutes on the pan and then transfer from pans to wire racks. Cool completely before filling.
- In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, cherry juice, butter, and milk until smooth. Fill each cookie with ¼ tsp. filling. Top with 1 cherry.
- Melt white chocolate chips according to package directions. Drizzle with white chocolate. Let stand until set.
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Heather says
Do these need to be refrigerated?
Ellen says
No they do not but if you want to you certainly can. I would bring to room temperature before serving. The filling should be soft.
Lesley says
These look incredible! Do you think they would still turn out well if I used walnuts instead of pecans?
Ellen says
Yes! I think walnuts would be a wonderful substitution for the pecans. Just make sure they are finely chopped. My husband has a walnut allergy so I always use pecans. Please let me know how they turn out!
Radha says
These look pretty, delicious, and addictive! YUM!
Inger says
I think these are the prettiest thumbprint cookies I’ve seen. I’m sure those nuts are super tasty too!
Christie says
I am a total cherry fan! I would devour these. They look perfectly delicious.
Toni says
Hi, can you use all butter instead of butter and shortening for these cookies.
Ellen says
It will definitely change the texture of the cookies. I don’t recommend it.
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
Does it get any cuter? These practically scream CHRISTMAS!!!