Kaufmann’s Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

If you grew up anywhere near Pittsburgh, you probably remember walking through Kaufmann’s during Christmastime — the decorated windows, the elevator bells, and the smell of the bakery drifting clear across the store. Their thumbprint cookies were always a favorite: buttery, soft, rolled in jimmies, and topped with a perfect little swirl of frosting.

These days, people try to recreate that nostalgic bakery flavor at home, and I’ve found that this version truly captures it. A #60 scoop gives you 36 perfect cookies, just the right size for holiday trays or afternoon coffee.

If you love old-fashioned cookie traditions like these, you might also enjoy my Mexican Wedding Cakes — they have that same melt-in-your-mouth holiday charm and pair beautifully with thumbprints on a cookie platter.

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2. Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Pittsburgh bakery flavor

• Two frosting options: vanilla and chocolate

• Dough requires no chilling

• Perfect for gifting and Christmas trays

• The jimmies give them that classic soft crunch

• They look bakery-perfect with minimal effort

And if you want another nostalgic, frosted cookie to go with these, the Cherry Blossom Cookies are another favorite around here — same star-tip piping, totally different flavor profile.

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3. Ingredients

For the Cookies

• ⅓ cup shortening

• 6 tablespoons butter, room temp

• ⅓ cup sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

• 2 cups cake flour

• 1 cup jimmie sprinkles

For the Vanilla Frosting

• ½ cup butter

• 1½ cups powdered sugar

• 1½ teaspoons vanilla

• ¼ teaspoon almond

• Pinch of salt

For the Chocolate Frosting

• 6 tablespoons butter

• 2⅓ cups powdered sugar

• ¾ cup cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ cup whole milk

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Ingredient Tips

• Cake flour keeps them soft.

• Shortening + butter = perfect bakery texture.

• Jimmies only — nonpareils get too hard after baking.

• Almond extract is key to recreating the Kaufmann’s flavor.

If you enjoy classic flavors like almond and vanilla, you might also love my Italian Butter Cookies — another piped bakery cookie with the same nostalgic feel.

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4. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Dough

• Beat shortening, butter, sugar, and salt for 2–4 minutes.

• Add the egg, vanilla, and almond.

• Mix in the cake flour until just combined.

2. Scoop and Coat

• Use a #60 scoop (1.07 tablespoons).

• Roll the bottom half of each dough ball into jimmies.

3. Thumbprint

• Press a small indentation into each dough ball.

4. Bake

• Bake at 350°F for 14 minutes.

• Cookies should remain pale, not golden.

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5. Frost the Cookies

• Prepare either vanilla or chocolate frosting.

• Pipe into each thumbprint using a star tip.

A similar piping technique is used in my Cherry Blossom Cookies, which makes them a pretty pairing for the holidays.

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5. Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

• Cracking: Press the indentation while dough is still soft.

• Spreading: Dough too warm — chill 10 minutes.

• Frosting too stiff: Add a teaspoon of milk.

• Frosting too soft: Add a bit more powdered sugar.

• Sprinkles not sticking: Warm the dough ball slightly between your hands.

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6. Variations

• Red & green sprinkles for Christmas

• White jimmies for “bakery case” elegance

• Vanilla-only or chocolate-only frosting

• Half vanilla / half chocolate (a Pittsburgh tradition)

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7. Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine on holiday trays next to old-fashioned favorites like:

• Mexican Wedding Cakes

• Cherry Blossom Cookies

Their soft, buttery texture pairs especially well with shortbread-style cookies, like my Scottish Shortbread, which balances the sweetness with its simple, traditional flavor.

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8. Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temp: 5 days

• Refrigerator: 7 days

• Freeze (Unfrosted): Up to 2 months

• Freeze (Frosted): Freeze in a single layer, then stack

• Make Ahead: Dough lasts 48 hours refrigerated

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9. FAQs

Do these cookies brown?
No — they should stay pale for that soft bakery bite.

Is almond extract necessary?
For the “Kaufmann’s flavor,” yes.

Why jimmies?
Nonpareils get hard; jimmies stay soft.

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🎉 Conclusion

If these thumbprints remind you of winter days at Kaufmann’s, I’d love to hear your memories. Leave a comment, share your rating, or save this recipe to Pinterest for your holiday baking list.

They pair beautifully with other nostalgic Christmas treats like Mexican Wedding Cakes, Cherry Blossom Cookies, and Scottish Shortbread, making your cookie tray feel like a little trip back in time.