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These jam thumbprint cookies brought raves from my office colleagues!
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To say that this country is all about the soccer world cup final match tomorrow, might be the most accurate sentence I’ve written so far since I started blogging. The understatement of 2014. Weather and politics have taken such a back seat lately, they don’t know where to stand. And we don’t care, that’s how much of an impact this sudden soccer match has on us. Football, as called everywhere but in the US, rules. No other sport can barely stand up to it, the passion and time devoted to it makes the Superbowl pale in comparison. And the World Cup… well, it’s like taking the Superbowl worldwide, you get the idea.
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For me, a veteran in these affairs due to my age, it’s my fourth final; two won, one lost, and one will be unveiled tomorrow. But for many, this is the first time they will experience a euphoria beyond anything they can imagine; look at what went on, for hours, when we won the semifinals last Saturday…
I often wonder why sports have such an extreme effect on us, on our patriotism – be it a country or a team really. What is lacking in us as a society that can only be expressed through a sport? We suddenly are friendly and kind to everyone. They’re talking about having Monday as a last-minute holiday for god’s sake! Yup, no work. To either celebrate or mourn I guess… Crazy.
But make no mistake, I’m in the thick of it…You should see my tweeter account.
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And food is always in the middle of any sports celebration. Two of the matches were on working days, and guys, the country froze, no kidding. It was like being at the office on a Sunday, no phones, no emails, no nothing. For a few hours, there was no class for kids at school.
So, you know, I had no excuse but to bake, ha.
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These thumbprints were such a hit, don’t mind the crappy pictures, or the way the will look if you forgo looks for flavor and texture. Because I tend to not overdo it with extra flour, they were not your perfectly shaped, round, gorgeous cookies with a pool of un-spilled jam in the middle. Not by far. The filling leaked, the dough stretched to wherever it felt comfortable, and they stuck a
bit when I packed them, wax paper and all.
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bit when I packed them, wax paper and all.
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But, a huge but, I think every single person at the office stopped by my desk to tell me how amazing they were. So looks are not everything; yeah, if only they told us teenage girls that until we believed it…
But do believe a bunch of Argentinians who munch on commercial thumbprint cookies on a daily basis, because they actually do. Huge packages are brought into the office weekly and are the first to go.
This recipe is a winner. Hope we are too tomorrow. And if we’re not, maybe another batch of strawberry jam thumbprints will soothe broken hopes and hearts.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg (at room tº)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
- Strawberry jam (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF / 180ºC. Grease or line with parchment paper, two cookie sheets.
- In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar, until fluffy, a minute or two.
- Add egg and vanilla and beat well, until smooth.
- Mix flour and baking powder.
- Alternate the flour mixture in two parts with the milk in one part, just like you would when making a cake. Mix very well, until there are no dry spots.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes before using. Or, cover the bowl with plastic wrap first and refrigerate for up to a few days.
recipe from The Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook, by Jennifer Appel
These look awesome! I love thumbprint cookies, and these look delicious.
I think I would forget all about the world cup if a plate of these cookies were sitting in front of me. Too big of a distraction. Delicious!
I have to admit, I don't really watch soccer! But I do watch these cookies and they are worth watching. Love these. they would make anyone's day a hit!
In France, too. Companies and businesses brought in tvs. Everyone watched. Until France lost. Sigh. Very exciting! And who doesn't love jelly thumbprint cookies? There is something about them that rushes us back to childhood. I think I'll make these when I get back to France.
Soccer is such a great sport, isn't it? Sorry things didn't work out for you this time around, but there will be another chance in a few years! Always the good thing about sports — we always have hope, because there's a next time. Anyway, lovely cookies — thanks so much.
I have Argentinean friends back home in Australia and they were wild for the final yesterday! Aaron and I were sitting in a creperie in France, watching the game with a few locals and tourists. So exciting, even for those of us who don't normally watch the game! I am so sorry that Argentina came so close but yet… not quite there this year. I can imagine that the loss would have been just slightly more bearable with some of these gorgeous thumbprint cookies. And I actually prefer rustic baking, something that looks loved and homemade. Yours are gorgeous Paula xx
Nice and comforting jammy cookies!!!!
my mom used to use caramelized pinneaple on my cookies…….
I think we food bloggers care about the looks where regular folks, like my family, don't give a hoot! Your cookies are rustic and beautiful! They wouldn't last long around here!!!
PS…sorry about the match!
These cookies have been on my to make list for years, I love that jammy goodness in the middle! I only caught a little bit of the world cup but it was very exciting.
What heavenly cookies, these look absolutely delicious 😀
YUM!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
i made thumbprint biscuits recently but they were not half as nice lookign as yours (runny jam and all). i'll have to try your recipe!
Oh Paula,all I saw was gorgeous cookie photos! My husband is all about American "football" but our son played soccer throughout his school and is a huge fan of the World Cup. It's a magnificent distraction from the everyday!
Go Argentina! The cookies looks fantastic!
ela h.
Gray Apron
Oh I have no time to make these cookies for the final! 🙂 next time. Enjoy the game 🙂
Your lovely gems will ease any soccer heartaches, Paula. Very luscious looking and sounding indeed…Glad you got a little Sunday in the middle of the work week =)
They look very DELICIOUS!
Good luck, Argentine, good luck Messi.
Your cookies look heavenly, Paula…I can see why they were gobbled up at work! I’m sure delicious!
I have never been a big soccer fan, but I’ll be rooting for you to win!
Pues también llevo varios mundiales en mi haber, pero digamos que desde que soy consciente y que me acuerde de ellos, el primero es del mundial en Argentina, su primar copa verdad? Perú no participa hace años, y es que la verdad el equipo es malísimo, pero aún así, es un mes que todo se paraliza y no habla ni se ve otra cosa que fútbol. Una pasión, sin duda.
Buena suerte para mañana…!!!
I am swirling down a shame spiral – I haven't watched a single match! Yet I love how the World Cup has brought the world together. I have kept up on the scores, the wins, the losses, the euphoria and disappointments. Such an amazing sport – a true sport, (warning: unpopular statement ahead) unlike American football. Glad you have Monday off – and I will be rooting for you!
The cookies are perfect. I want some. Now. 🙂 xo, David
I think I have as many World Cup events as you do and also think pretty much the same as you express in this post about us and football. Personally the only time I actually watch the sport is on World Cups and if our team is playing. Not very Argentineish, I suppose! But one thing I do is homemade thumbprints, and I find yours are awesome, just as I like them. Buttery and jammy…and I think your photos are great, they convey all the texture and flavour. I can even imagine how good they must smell! A real treat for your office mates! Vamos Argentina c*r*j*!!