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fig jam & goat cheese thumbprint cookies

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fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

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We’re in Hawaii! I had a filing the night before that kept me in the office about a million hours later than I expected, we packed half the things we meant to pack and none of our laundry, but we made it on the plane (I think I set a new record for the most hours I’ve or anyone has ever slept on a single flight) and now I’m sitting at B2’s family’s kitchen counter, blissfully free of legal research and two days away from spending my first Christmas in Honolulu. I visited in January once before, but I’ve never been here for Christmas itself, so I thoroughly enjoyed this surfer Santa and his muumuu-clad Mrs. Claus, I’ve asked B2 about five times too many whether people actually say “mele kalikimaka,” and I’m gleefully sure I just overheard the words “ahi poke for Christmas.” But sunshine aside, it’s still pretty much just like Christmas with my family where it counts — with endless amounts of food, aunties and uncles galore, and B2 and his sister making fun of each other all day, and that coziness is what makes me the happiest about being here. (Also the ahi poke.)

Since getting here my activities have consisted of very little cooking and very lots of eating, but I did make these thumbprint cookies before we left, in an only slightly colder New York.  With how warm it’s been, I feel like I almost can’t call these “wintery,” but nonetheless, they’re a wintery spin on these, inspired by my favorite combo from an extravaganza of a cheese board I put together a few weeks back.  I always think of thumbprints as one of the holiday-iest holiday cookies, so I thought they were only fitting despite the warm weather.  The goat cheese is a little unconventional, but it adds a faintly savory warmth to a soft and chewy sugar cookie dough, and it’s well-balanced by a generous dollop of sweet fig jam.  These are gentle, homey cookies, just one more suggestion for your holiday platter in case you’re not full up on Christmas cookies already, or a little idea to use up any jams or creamy cheeses you might have left over from holiday parties.

I hope you’re all having the coziest holiday season, whether or not you’re celebrating, and the happiest New Year! I’ll see you in 2016 (whoa), but in the meantime, here’s just a quick note to say that I am always so thankful to have you here. It is the best gift. Thank you for being here for one more year, and for making this little blog what it is. Happy holidays!

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese thumbprint cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

fig jam & goat cheese cookies | two red bowls

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Fig jam & goat cheese thumbprint cookies

Print Recipe

makes about 16-18 small cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. In a separate, large bowl, combine sugar, goat cheese, and butter in a large bowl. Using an electric beater or plenty of arm strength, whisk until mixture is pale and creamy. Whisk in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Fold in the flour mixture until incorporated and a dough forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  3. Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Place the ball on the cookie sheet and press an indentation in the dough to form a hollow for the jelly. Repeat with the rest of the dough, placing the balls about 1-2 inches apart (they will not spread too much).
  4. Place about a half-teaspoon of jam into each of the dough indentations, or enough to fill it. Place a dot of goat cheese (or as much as desired) on top.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cookies are set at the edges. The cookies will be pale and soft, but the cookie should be able to lift away from the sheet and the bottom should be just golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Originally this recipe called for a slightly sweetened goat cheese-milk mixture, but I found that plain goat cheese works just as well and is far simpler. And simple is good in the holidays, right? Just consider avoiding aged goat cheese for the filling, which melts more like a regular cheese and might be off-putting for a cookie (though it works spectacularly in the dough to make it even softer!)

Finally, if you’re not a huge fan of goat cheese, cream cheese will work wonderfully in its place.

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  1. Toshi Bakes

    My grandparents have two ancient fig trees in their garden and every year, they produce so much fruit! Most of the time, they just eat them when they’re ripe. This recipe would put any extra figs into good use 🙂 thanks for the idea!

    Reply

    • tworedbowls

      Fig trees in the backyard sound like a dream!!! My parents had one in their yard when I was a lot younger and I kick myself now all the time for not appreciating it when I was around. Eat extra for me when the season comes, please!!! 🙂

      Reply

  3. Amanda | What's Cooking

    These look delicious! I love figs so much in just about everything. I hope you’re enjoying your time off in Hawaii. Of course you’d have a filing right before a big trip! Why would it be any other way? Impressive that you managed to make and post these ahead of schedule too. You are my lawyer/blogger,work/life balance hero!

    Reply

  4. Edlyn

    My internet speeds have gone to shit since I came to India so I can’t see all of these photos and I really wanna because they are so gorgeous. Ughhh but maybe it’s good to internet less on vacation, yes? Enjoy your break Cynthia. Hawaii sounds so fabulous. I hope you eat all of the food because I wouldn’t hold back if I were you. Fish is probably going to be on our menu too because why not! Love these cookies. My mom is currently making all sorts of sweets right now and I’m eating the remnants of a can of condensed milk. You are totally right about these being the most emblematic of the Christmas cookies. I am a jammer fan so I’m never not going to put jam cookies on a pedestal no matter what the season. Merry everything to you and your family. Live it up!

    Reply

  7. Linda | The Baker Who Kerns

    I usually avoid making thumbprint cookies cause I think they are a little too sweet for my taste but I love this fig jam and goat cheese combo! I could never turn that down. I really wonder what Christmas in Hawaii is like! I’m heading to Florida today and it’s always so bizarre for me seeing Santa in a tropical shirt. See you in 2016 (CRAZZZYY)

    Reply

  8. Lindsey

    i love your description of your christmas holiday spent in hawaii so far! and fig jam! i’ve had it only once, but i remember it being so darn delicious – i can imagine how bright it shines with the cheese-y cookie base here 🙂 wishing you all the warm cozies, and the happiest start to 2016! big hugs friend! xoxo

    Reply

  9. Brooke Bass

    Awww thank YOU for making just the best, most beautifully-photographed posts for all of us to enjoy!

    I’m not going to lie, I’m a little envious of your warm weather. Don’t get me wrong, I really like snow. Like a lot. And this weekend I got a good dose of snow. But it has also rained here in Portland for 22 days straight now. Sooo a little warmth and sunshine and ahi poke doesn’t sound half bad 😉

    Actually, can I just make a whole meal out of some poke and these thumbprints?

    Wishing you and B2 the merriest of holidays, Cynthia!!!

    Reply

  13. Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect

    These really remind me of jam tarts, the biscuit part is very similar to pastry and the small ratio of jam is just the right amount.

    Love the addition of goat’s cheese – some people really dislike it, but I’ve never understood why, although to be honest I’m a total cheese fiend!

    Have a fabulous Christmas in Hawaii!

    Reply

  14. Erika

    Goat cheese and fig jam.. all day. There is a place here in ATL that makes these little buttery pastry tarts with goat cheese and fig jam swirls in the center.. THE BEST! Your holiday sounds amazing already, I mean hello Hawaii. Happiest of Holidays to you my dear, 2016 is gonna be a good one. xoxoxo

    Reply

  15. Erica

    I love that there’s goat cheese IN the dough… you rock woman. Have so much fun in Hawaii and eat ALL the ahi poke in sight. Happy holidays!!!

    Reply

  16. Considering The Radish

    I love thumbprint cookies, but I never thought about adding goat cheese. As someone who loves goat cheese I’m kicking myself for not thinking of this first. They look amazing, and I hope you have a very happy Hawaiian Christmas.

    Reply

  19. Kate Jeffries

    I’ve just stumbled across your blog today for the first time and am happy that I have and sad that I’ve missed out before. Looking forward to following and learning (seriously inept and inexperienced in the kitchen). Happy New Year 🙂

    Reply