Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Jennifer Segal

15 May, 2024

Discover the Ultimate Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie Recipe - A Sweet Symphony of Flavor and Tradition! Dive into a world of homemade delight.

Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie

Publisher: Crisp Recipe
Cuisine: American
Category: Dessert
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Calories: 80 calories

Giant Eagle thumbprint cookies are a delightful treat that can be found at Giant Eagle, a supermarket chain primarily located in the Midwestern and East Coast regions of the United States.

These cookies are a beloved classic, known for their soft, buttery texture and sweet fruity center. They're a popular choice for holiday gatherings, special occasions, or whenever you're in the mood for a homemade-style cookie.

The cookies are typically made with a simple yet delicious buttery dough, often rolled in finely chopped nuts, which adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.

The thumbprint part comes into play when you create an indentation in the center of each cookie, ready to be filled with a dollop of fruit preserves, commonly apricot, raspberry, or other favorite flavors. Once baked, the preserves set and create a sweet, fruity contrast to the buttery cookie base.

Giant Eagle thumbprint cookies are a perfect blend of textures and flavors, with the nutty, crumbly exterior and the gooey, fruity center. They are a delightful addition to any dessert table and are sure to please both kids and adults alike. Whether you make them from scratch at home or pick up a batch from the Giant Eagle bakery, these cookies are a comforting, timeless treat for all occasions.

Recipe

Indulge in the perfect Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie Recipe - A delightful blend of nostalgia and taste. Get ready to bake and enjoy!

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work well)
1/2 cup fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, or your choice)
Powdered sugar (for dusting

Method Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the mixture, and beat until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the chopped nuts to coat them.
Place the nut-coated balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them.
Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of your chosen fruit preserves.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cookies have cooled, you can dust them with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Recipe Video

Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie

This is a video about Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie.

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Recipe Tags: Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie, Giant Eagle Thumbprint Cookie Recipe, Recipe

Servings

Serving Giant Eagle thumbprint cookies is a simple and delightful experience. Here's how to do it:

Presentation: Place the thumbprint cookies on a clean and attractive serving platter or dish. Consider using a decorative plate or a tray to enhance their visual appeal.
Temperature: Thumbprint cookies can be served at room temperature. They are delicious both when freshly baked and after they've cooled. If you've made them in advance, you can warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds to restore some of their freshness.
Accompaniments: While thumbprint cookies are delightful on their own, you can enhance the serving experience by offering some complementary accompaniments. Consider serving them with a side of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a hot beverage like tea or coffee.
Garnish: If you'd like to add an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish the cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. This adds a nice visual contrast and a touch of extra sweetness.
Plating: For a more appealing presentation, arrange the cookies with a bit of spacing between them on the serving platter. This makes them look more inviting and prevents them from sticking together.
Serve with Style: Serve the cookies to your guests with a smile, and enjoy watching them savor these delicious treats. They're perfect for gatherings, parties, or even as a special dessert with a loved one.

Tips

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. This will help in achieving the right cookie texture and ensure even mixing with the sugar.
Variations: Get creative with the type of nuts and fruit preserves you use. While walnuts and apricot or raspberry preserves are traditional choices, you can try pecans, almonds, or other types of fruit jams for a unique twist.
Chilling the Dough: If your dough is too soft or sticky, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. This will make it easier to work with.
Consistent Size: Try to make the cookie dough balls roughly the same size so that they bake evenly. You can use a cookie scoop to help with this.
Thumbprint Technique: When making the thumbprint indentation, use your thumb or the back of a spoon. Make sure not to press too hard; you want a well-defined center without cracking the edges.
Filling the Thumbprints: Don't overfill the thumbprints with preserves. About half a teaspoon of fruit preserves in each cookie should suffice. Excessive filling can lead to overflow during baking.
Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they bake. They're done when the edges turn lightly golden. Be cautious not to overbake them, as they can become too dry.
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set without falling apart.
Storage: Store your thumbprint cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. They can be kept at room temperature for a few days or refrigerated for longer storage.
Personal Touch: Feel free to add your own unique touch to the recipe, whether it's by adding a little citrus zest to the dough or drizzling a glaze on top for extra flavor.

Ingredient Substitutes

If you're looking to make substitutions for the ingredients in the Giant Eagle thumbprint cookie recipe, here are some options:

Butter: You can substitute butter with margarine or a dairy-free butter alternative if you want to make the cookies dairy-free. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
Granulated Sugar: You can use brown sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia if you want to reduce the sugar content. Keep in mind that this may affect the texture and taste of the cookies.
Egg Yolks: If you prefer an eggless version, you can use egg substitutes like applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt. You may need to adjust the dough consistency as these substitutes can add moisture.
All-Purpose Flour: To make the cookies gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Keep in mind that gluten-free flours can behave differently, so you may need to adjust the dough consistency.
Nuts: If you have nut allergies or prefer a different texture, you can skip the nuts or replace them with finely crushed graham crackers, rolled oats, or shredded coconut for a crunchy coating.
Fruit Preserves: You can experiment with different fruit preserves or jams based on your preferences. There are many flavors to choose from, including strawberry, blackberry, or even lemon curd.
Vanilla Extract: While vanilla extract is a classic choice, you can also use almond extract or other flavor extracts to give your cookies a unique twist.