Blueberry Candied Thyme Cookies

This blueberry and thyme sugar cookie recipe transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated treat that will impress everyone who tries them. The combination of wild blueberries and aromatic thyme creates cookies with the perfect balance of sweet fruitiness and subtle herbal notes.

I first created these cookies for a holiday gathering when I wanted something beyond traditional sugar cookies. The vibrant color and unexpected flavor pairing had everyone asking for the recipe, and they've become my signature dessert for special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Blueberry Jam

• Frozen wild blueberries: Provide intense color and flavor compared to regular blueberries
• White sugar: Helps preserve the jam while balancing the natural tartness
• Water: Helps the berries break down during cooking

For the Candied Thyme

• Fresh thyme sprigs: Look for bright green, aromatic sprigs without any browning
• Pasteurized egg white: Acts as the perfect adhesive for the sugar coating
• Granulated white sugar: Creates that beautiful crystallized effect

For the Cookie Dough

• All purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for chewy cookies
• Baking soda: Gives just enough lift without making them cakey
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially important with sweet cookies
• White sugar: Combined with thyme leaves creates an aromatic base
• Room temperature butter: Essential for proper creaming and texture
• Vanilla bean paste: Adds visible specks and more intense flavor than extract
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough
• Food coloring: Enhances the natural purple from blueberries

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Blueberry Jam

Step 1:

Cook frozen blueberries with sugar and water over medium high heat until thickened to a jammy consistency. You want to reach the point where dragging your spatula through the mixture reveals the bottom of the pan for a few seconds before the jam slowly flows back together. This usually takes about 10 minutes of gentle simmering. Allow the mixture to cool completely before incorporating into the dough.

Create Candied Thyme Garnish

Step 2:

Prepare two small bowls, one with pasteurized egg white and another with granulated sugar. After washing and thoroughly drying the thyme sprigs, dip each one first into the egg white, using your fingers to remove excess. Then coat with sugar, ensuring even coverage. Allow them to dry for 20 to 30 minutes until they develop a beautiful crystallized appearance. These delicate garnishes add both visual appeal and aromatic complexity to the finished cookies.

Make the Thyme Sugar

Step 3:

Combine fresh thyme leaves with granulated sugar in a food processor and pulse until thoroughly blended. This infuses the sugar with essential oils from the thyme, creating an aromatic base for the cookie dough. The food processor ensures even distribution of the herb throughout the sugar, ensuring consistent flavor in every bite.

Prepare the Cookie Dough

Step 4:

Beat room temperature butter until pale and fluffy, approximately one minute on medium speed. Add the thyme infused sugar and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color and texture. This crucial creaming process incorporates air into the dough which contributes to the cookies perfect texture. Add vanilla extract, eggs, and cooled blueberry jam mixture, beating until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid developing too much gluten, which would make cookies tough.

Shape and Bake

Step 5:

Portion the dough using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop or weigh into 40 gram balls for perfect uniformity. Roll each dough ball in thyme sugar before placing on parchment lined baking sheets, allowing ample space between cookies. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for just 8 to 9 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked. This ensures perfectly chewy cookies after cooling. While still warm, use a round cookie cutter to "scoot" cookies into perfect circles if desired.

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Watching the crystallized sugar form on the thyme sprigs always feels like a bit of kitchen magic to me. My niece calls these my "fairy cookies" because of their purple color and sparkly appearance, and helping make the candied thyme has become her special job whenever we bake these together.

Storage Tips

These cookies maintain their chewy texture for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To keep them extra fresh, place a slice of bread in the container—it will give off moisture that the cookies will absorb. For longer storage, the cookie dough freezes beautifully. Form the dough balls, roll in sugar, and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply add 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time—no need to thaw first.

Flavor Variations

While the blueberry and thyme combination is exceptional, this recipe serves as a wonderful template for other fruit and herb pairings. Try raspberry jam with fresh basil, blackberry with rosemary, or strawberry with mint. The key is balancing the sweetness of the fruit with the aromatic qualities of the herb. You can also experiment with different extracts—almond works beautifully with the blueberry, while orange extract complements the thyme nicely.

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Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine as part of an elegant dessert spread, especially for bridal showers, baby showers, or holiday gatherings. Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a simple but impressive dessert. They also pair wonderfully with afternoon tea, especially Earl Grey or a floral blend like lavender. For gifting, stack them in a clear cellophane bag tied with ribbon and include a few candied thyme sprigs on top for presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh blueberries instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh blueberries. Ensure to adjust the cooking time slightly as fresh berries may cook faster than frozen ones.

→ How do I make the cookies softer?

Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers appear slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool, staying soft and chewy.

→ Can I skip the candied thyme garnish?

Yes, the candied thyme is optional and primarily used for decoration. The cookies will still taste great without it.

→ How long can the cookies be stored?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze them for longer storage.

→ What is the best way to achieve round cookies?

Use a round cookie cutter to scoot the hot cookies into shape immediately after taking them out of the oven.

→ Can I substitute the vanilla bean paste?

Yes, you can use vanilla extract as a substitute. Use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in place of the paste.