Grinch Heart Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies are the edible versions of the quote “The Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.”

This post was created for #ChristmasCookies week, for which I was provided complementary products by the event sponsors. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Man this week was a whirlwind and yet there is no one thing on which to pin the blame. Just one of those weeks that somehow has way too much going on.

I actually took a week off from working out, which really says something because I rarely miss! I’m a dedicated 6 days a week person. It’s probably extra beneficial that it is therapeutic to me given how much I bake – but that’s a different kind of therapy!

I actually drew inspiration for these after seeing the “mean one” sprinkles from Sweets & Treats. I had to try them but what to make? And then I focused on the tiny hearts in the mix, and thought about how the Grinch’s heart grew at the end of the movie. So I decided to make heart thumbprint cookies but grinch fudge would also be fun!

I only did half of the cookies as thumbprints and for the other half I carefully picked out the hearts to place one in the center. Now I have pre- and post-Grinch heart cookies!

Thumbprint fact: I have always made the thumbprint post-baking but I recently discovered that many people make the indent and fill pre-baking. Funny how everyone has their way.

I prefer post because the cookies bake better unfilled. I also find that the indent doesn’t always retain its shape, which isn’t as big of a deal with it’s a round hole but I didn’t want droopy hearts. We want nice healthy hearts!

Which maybe shouldn’t involve cookies but I digress…

I filled the heart prints with my peach raspberry lime jam but you can use any red jam flavor you prefer! I almost used cherry but worried that deep red color would look black on a green cookie. I think my worry was justified given how dark even this bright red jam looks! But either way they are deliciously fun.

This is my final recipe for #ChristmasCookies week but please check out all of the other amazing recipes shared this week by others and be sure to enter the giveaway located at the bottom of this and every other post I shared this week!

Friday Christmas Cookie Recipes

• Chocolate Bonbon Cookies by That Recipe
• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Cookies by West Via Midwest
• Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cookies by Leftovers Then Breakfast
• Chocolate-Dipped Orange Logs by Eat Move Make
• Christmas Magic Bars by Devour Dinner
• Christmas Monster Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies by Blogghetti
• Frosted Eggnog Cookie Bars by Family Around the Table
• Grinch Heart Thumbprint Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
• Holiday Everything Cookies by Frugal & Fit
• Honey Walnut Cookies by Books n’ Cooks
• Kahlua Mudslide Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
• Lavender Snickerdoodles by Palatable Pastime
• Linzer Cookies by Lemon Blossoms
• Little Monster Cookie Bites by Jersey Girl Cooks
• Maple Sugar Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Mocha Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Making Miracles
• Mocha Sandies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pecan Pie Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies by Our Sutton Place
• Pinwheel Cookies by Simply Inspired Meals
• Poppy Seed Shortbread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Small Batch Pecan Fingers by Art of Natural Living
• Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies by Sweet Beginnings
• Spiced Holiday Cutouts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookie Recipe by Swirls of Flavor
• White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Molasses Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

One year ago: Goat Cheese & Rosemary Thumbprints with Cherry Jam

Three years ago: Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Four years ago: Weekly Meal Plan #38 – Thanksgiving Edition

Five years ago: Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Six years ago: Pear-Cranberry Sauce

Seven years ago: Gluten-Free Chipotle Cornbread Muffins

Eight years ago: Streusel-Topped Milky Way Apple Butter Bread

GRINCH HEART THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Print

Yield: Approximately 3 dozen Prep Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 8 Minutes 8 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1-1/2 cups plus 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp 2% milk
• 2 tsp Adam’s Extract vanilla
• 1 tsp green food coloring gel
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 tsp salt
• 1 cup green Sweets & Treats "mean one" sprinkles
• 1 cup favorite red jam or jelly*

Directions

1. In a stand mixer or large bowl with electric hand mixer, mix ingredients in order until fully incorporated (except for the sprinkles and jam).
2. Place sprinkles in a small shallow bowl. Shape dough into walnut-sized balls (I used my medium cookie scoop) and roll in sugar, lightly shaking off excess. Cover and chill dough in refrigerator for one hour.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
4. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 minutes.
5. Immediately after removing from the oven, using the back of a spoon (or your thumb), gently push a crevasse diagonally toward the left side of a cookie, then rotate to press again toward the right side to make a heart*. (Be careful not to push all the way through the cookie.) Let cool before transferring to wire rack.
6. Once cool, fill each indent with jam

Notes

*I only made half of mine thumbprints, the other half I just placed a small sprinkle heart so I actually only use 1/2 cup of jam.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see!
Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

Welcome to #ChristmasCookies week where more than 25 bloggers are sharing cookie recipes perfect for your holiday celebrations. Hosted by Ellen from Family Around the Table, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures and Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks, we invite you to not only check out the recipes but enter the amazing giveaway.

Don’t miss one delicious cookie recipe! Follow along on Pinterest.

Prize 1: Tower of Treats from Millican Pecan Company

Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800’s, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is an 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.

Prize 2: An Assortment of Flavored Extracts from Adams Extract and Spices

 In January 2013, Adams, one of the oldest continuously operated companies in Texas and one of oldest spice and extract companies in the United States, celebrated its 125th birthday and was awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award, an award sponsored by State Bill 920 that recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 years and pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

Today, Adams proudly manufactures and markets under several Adams Brand banners, including Adams Best®, Adams Extract®, Adams® Seasoning & Spice, Adams Reserve®, Flavor King™, Pantry Basics™, Sear-n-Crust®, ClearVan™, Carniceria®, Cocina del Rey®, Naturals™, and Urban Canner™ along with the Adams Frozen Skillet Desserts and Adams Premium Ice Cream lines. In addition, Adams is proud to manufacture for some of the nations most respected Private Label Brands as well as other legacy Regional Seasoning Brands and is used to flavor many commercially produced food products around the nation.

Prize 3: A Set of Baking Pans from Anolon

Established in the 1950’s, Meyer Manufacturing started by making and selling flashlights. In 1971 they started their journey into selling cookware. By 1986 they released the world’s first hard-anodized nonstick cookware which revolutionized the world of home cooking. Their nonstick surface didn’t flake or scratch easily.

Today they sell bakeware with nonstick interior and exterior made with a special sapphire-reinforced blend that is triple coated. NOTE: Color may vary from the photo above.

Prize 4: An Assorted Baking Box from Sweets & Treats

Make Sweets & Treats your one-stop shop for all your holiday sprinkle needs. In addition to fun, festive and colorful sprinkles, Sweets & Treats offers cupcake liners, edible glitters, sugars, and more.

Founded in 2010 by Shannon Harvey out of an industry need for bold, bright cupcake liners and baking supplies that are the life of the party! Based in Louisiana, Sweets & Treats is a designer cupcake liner manufacturer and party supply company that creates exclusive greaseproof cupcake liners, sprinkles, sprinkle mixes, paper straws, and other baking supplies. 

Four (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway open to US Residents only who are 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry.
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