Almond & California Prune Thumbprint Cookies
These almond thumbprint cookies by Meg of This Mess is Ours are a sweet twist on a classic favorite. Prune Butter is the secret ingredient!
What are thumbprint cookies?
Thumbprint cookies are one of our favorite old-fashioned recipes! These buttery cookies are indented and filled with jams, jellies or pureés. This almond + prune butter combo is our favorite (and also happens to be gluten-free AND grain-free!
How do you make prune butter?
Prune Butter is simply Prune Pureé with a little added brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Spoiler alert: it’s delicious. Make a double batch and use the extra as a dip or spread.
Just like Grandma used to make….
Everything old is new again. You’ll love these old-fashioned recipes for desserts – starring our favorite ingredient, California Prunes!
Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
For the Prune Butter
- 1/2 pound California prunes
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 1-3 TBSP brown sugar depending on desired sweetness level
For the Almond Butter Cookies
- 1 cup creamy almond butter any separated oil stirred in well before measuring
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
Instructions
To make the prune butter
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the prunes and water. Bring to a simmer then cover and cook until the prunes are meltingly tender, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a food processor fitted with the “S” blade. Add the kosher salt, vanilla, and one tablespoon sugar. Blend until the mixture is thick and buttery. Taste and add additional sugar, one tablespoon at a time until desired sweetness level is achieved.
To make the almond butter cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the “S” blade combine the almond butter, white sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until combined into a crumbly dough. Use your hand to pack the cookie dough into a small cookie scoop. Space individual cookie dough balls 1-inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using your knuckle or the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measure, make a well in the center of each cookie, using your fingers to repair any cracks, then fill each well with 1/4 teaspoon prune butter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes until the cookies firm up enough to transfer to cooling racks. For best results serve completely cooled, can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Baking with Prunes
You probably know that prunes are great for gut health. But did you know that they can add moisture and depth of flavor to your favorite baked goods? And that’s not all…with the addition of prune purée, bakers can reduce refined sugar by up to one-third, as well as reducing the amount of needed eggs and fats. Whether you are trying to reduce refined sugar, cut unhealthy fats, or simply make healthier baked goods, California Prunes and Prune Purée are ingredients more and more bakers are relying on to enhance their cakes, cookies, muffins, and more.
Check out a few of our favorite healthier baking recipes!
Spiced Snack Cake
Did someone say “snack cake“? This quick and easy one bowl cake is always a good idea.
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate and Prunes
Our Chewy Oatmeal Cookies are inspired by one of our growers, Matt Bozzo. Matt’s recipe swaps the prune puree for chopped prunes, and opts for dark honey to impart an even richer flavor to these craveworthy cookies.
Chocolate Mug Cake
Got five minutes? That’s all you need to whip up this individual Chocolate Mug Cake. This warm, gooey dessert is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Learn more
Check out Our Top Tricks to Healthier Baking from our friends at California Grown!
Did you try this recipe? Maybe you’ve got a favorite recipe using California Prunes that you’d like to share with us? Snap a pic and share it on social using #caprunes.
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