Quince Cookies, Healthy and Easy Christmas Treats

Cookie season is here! So here is my recipe for easy Quince cookies, a delicious treat that melts in your mouth! So take a break from all the Christmas madness to make these delicious cookies with your kids. These easy and healthy Quince cookies are the perfect thumbprint cookie to make with small hands these holidays. Soft, buttery Quince jam-filled thumbprint cookies are the cutest, festive treat! Plus, they are the best Christmas treats to give friends and family.

Healthy Quince Cookies

The Best Christmas Cookies For Kids

Every Christmas, our family makes cookies. The kids love spending time in the kitchen, and we like to bake our childhood favorite cookies. But we also like experimenting with new flavors. We love giving thumbprint cookies as Christmas gifts to friends and family. And this year, the kids put them in paper bags that they decorated and presented to their teachers; they were so proud!

Last year, I was still working a 9 to 5 job at an office. And I did not get to participate in all the Christmas baking as much as I would have liked. So Paula got to have all the fun with the kids. But since this year she is busier (and I am working from home), I got to get in on the holiday baking fun.

healthy quince cookies

Keeping Traditions Alive with Quince Cookies

Growing up in Guatemala, my favorite after-school snacks were a grilled quince jam and cream cheese sandwich. My mom made quince paste during the holidays and served it during the Posadas Navideñas, a unique Christmas tradition in my hometown.

So I came up with the idea of making quince cookies! And while looking for an easy sugar cookie recipe to use as a base for our quince treats, I came upon a cream cheese idea. So I thought: Quince + cream cheese = perfection!

healthy quince thumb print cookies
Healthy quince thumbprint cookies

What is Quince?

Quince fruit is a small, round-shaped fruit used to make jellies, marmalades, and jams. In appearance, it looks like a hybrid between an apple and a pear. But unlike these yummy pome fruit friends, this rich golden yellow fruit is almost inedible raw.

So, What Does Quince Taste Like?

Fresh Quince is hard and tough to chew, with an astringent and sour taste before cooking. But when cooked, it turns into a mild divine flavor with a sweet and tangy taste. And since it has pectin, it makes for a great addition to cooking pie fillings and, of course, Christmas cookies!

How to Make Easy Quince Thumbprint Cookies

I started with a basic sugar cookie recipe but wanted to make these thumbprint cookies healthier. So I replaced regular butter with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!®. Then, I used reduced-fat cream cheese (with 1/3 less fat than the traditional one) and unbleached whole wheat flour.  

Have to admit, these were my first cookies. I am usually more of a grilling-and-pasta guy, and baking is new to me. But since we all did them together, I had lots of help from everyone! And the kids loved putting their “fingerprints” on these delicious baked goodies. 

What You Need to Make Quince Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1 cup I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter softened
  • One package, 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • One egg yolk
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups unbleached whole wheat flour
  • Quince jam (I bought the quince jam at a Latin American Market) 
ingredients for quince cookies
Ingredients for quince cookies

How To Make Quince-Filled Cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. In a large bowl, combine I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
4. Add flour and mix well.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the dough is easy to handle. healthy and easy Christmas treats
6. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Place them two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
7. Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon measuring spoon, make a 1/2-inch-deep indentation in the center of each ball. Next, fill with about 1/4 teaspoon of quince jam.
8. Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes or until set.
9. Remove to wire racks to cool. Enjoy!

What Can You Replace The Quince Paste With?

If you don’t have Quince jam, you can replace it with many different ingredients. If you want to keep similar flavors, try pear and apple jams that provide sweetness and texture similar to Quince. Any berry preservers or fig paste also work great with these fingerprint Christmas cookies.

Other delicious substitutes for Quince are dulce de leche, Nutella, or citrusy jams. Depending on what you choose (especially if you go for any milky alternatives), bake the cookie dough first. Then load them up with your favorite filling. Don’t forget to let the cookies cool down first before stuffing them with your filling of choice.

Healthy Christmas Cookies

Quince Cookies, The Best Xmas Treats!

This Quince-filled cookies recipe was easy to make, and my kids helped. They enjoyed pressing their little thumbs into the soft dough and filling the cookies with jam. Plus, these Christmas cookies are not only healthier but are also not overly sweet. And, as the cookies were baking in the oven, the kitchen smelled of Quince! It’s incredible how scents and flavors can transport you and bring back so many memories.

I am sure this kid-friendly Christmas cookie recipe will make the list of your favorite holiday treats. Plus, I don’t feel too guilty eating these Quince cookies (as long as I don’t eat too many) because they don’t have that many calories. They are the best Christmas cookies ever!

More Christmas Ideas You’ll Love

Holiday Crafts With M&M Chocolate Candies

A creative DIY holiday craft that’s perfect as a gift for friends and family! These easy Christmas craft ideas are simple enough for kids to join in on the fun! Plus, these easy holiday crafts are made with M&M Chocolate candies! What’s not to love about those little pearls of chocolatey goodness?

crafts DIY Christmas Holiday m&m's

Best Christmas Cookies To Make With Kids

From cute gingerbread reindeer to chocolate snowballs, these kids’ Christmas cookie recipes are so good you’ll have a hard time just picking one! And these easy Christmas cookies for kids are the best for baking together as a family during the holidays.

best Christmas cookies to make with kids

Christmas Piñata, The Perfect DIY Mini Tree Ornament

Whether you’re looking to decorate your Christmas tree or just a DIY lover like me, this mini pinata is for you. This easy DIY mini Christmas piñata is the perfect holiday decoration to hang on the tree or as a unique gift. Plus, it’s full of goodies your kids will love!

Eggnog Flan, A Festive Christmas Dessert

Give traditional flan dessert a holiday twist by adding eggnog! The recipe is straightforward, and you can easily make it with your kids. Eggnog Flan is a light Christmasy dessert that is also perfect for Thanksgiving as you are usually full of turkey and all the other delicious holiday foods. Of course, sometimes you don’t even have room for dessert, but trust me, you will make space for this eggnog flan!

eggnog flan

DIY Christmas Tree: A Glowing Holiday Decoration

A lovely Christmas tree figurine your kids will proudly display at home or gift to teachers, friends, or relatives this Christmas. Foam Christmas Trees are easy to make. If you are like me, you have “leftovers” from past craft projects around the house, just collecting dust. So this is a great time to scrape together with your kids!

Best Christmas Desserts For Kids

If you’re looking for the best Christmas desserts for kids, you’ve come to the right place. You will find so many cute and fun Christmas treat recipes perfect for a Christmas party or even as part of a Christmas dessert board on Christmas eve dinner. From Xmas bark and Christmas cupcakes to reindeer treats and melted snowman desserts, there is something for everyone.

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Easy Party Meals For Unexpected Holiday Guests

Got spur-of-the-moment holiday guests coming over? Don’t worry! Whip one of these easy party meals that will be ready in minutes. And with a few festive tweaks, you can turn these fun family meals into unique holiday party food ideas without spending hours in the kitchen!

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Easy Rosca De Reyes Buns

In this post, you will find a super easy recipe for Rosca de Reyes buns you can bake with your kids. It is a fun and delicious twist on a traditional dessert full of history and seasonal flavors.

Easy Rosca de Reyes bollos
Easy Rosca de Reyes bollos
healthy quince cookies

Easy and Healthy Quince Cookies

Yield: 2 1/2 dozen

Delicious thumbprint Christmas cookies filled with Quince jam, perfect for making with kids

Ingredients

  • 1 cup I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, softened
  • 1 package, 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups unbleached whole wheat flour
  • quince jam, I bought the quince jam at a Latin American Market

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° .
  2. In a large bowl combine I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
  4. Add flour and mix well.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
  6. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  7. Using the your thumb or the back of a teaspoon measuring spoon make a 1/2-in.-deep indentation in the center of each ball; fill with about 1/4 teaspoon of quince jam.
  8. Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes or until set.
  9. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Notes

If you don't have Quince jam, you can replace it with lots of different ingredients. If you want to keep similar flavors, try pear and apple jams that provide sweetness and texture similar to Quince. Any berry preservers or fig paste also work great with these fingerprint Christmas cookies.

Other delicious substitutes for Quince are dulce de leche, Nutella, or citrusy jams. Depending on what you choose (especially if you go for any milky alternatives), bake the cookie dough first. Then load them up with your favorite filling. Don't forget to let the cookies cool down first before stuffing them with your filling of choice.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Total Fat: 6.3gSaturated Fat: 2.4gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 80mgCarbohydrates: 15.8gFiber: 0.5gSugar: 12.9gProtein: 0.7g

A 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. Nutrition information isn't always accurate.

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Cesar Diaz
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1 thought on “Quince Cookies, Healthy and Easy Christmas Treats”

  1. I love Membrillo (quince), used to eat it with queso fresco. And these cookies are out of this world! thanks for sharing this easy Christmas cookie recipe

    Reply

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