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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 118 reviews

These Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are rich, fudgy chocolate cookies with a tender crumb, filled with a luscious chocolate ganache. They are perfect for holiday baking or any time you want an indulgent treat. The cookies have a deep chocolate flavor balanced by a creamy ganache center, optionally topped with festive sprinkles.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

For the Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup (200 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • Nonpareils for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar for about two minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
  3. Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract to the butter/sugar mixture. Beat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns pale and fluffy.
  4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Shape the Cookies: Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie (total 34 portions). Roll each portion into a ball and transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Using a 1/4 tsp measure, press an indent into each ball to create a thumbprint.
  6. Chill the Dough: Chill the indented dough balls on the baking sheet for at least one hour. You can chill them all together, then separate onto multiple sheets when ready to bake.
  7. Preheat Oven: Bring the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake the Cookies: Arrange the dough balls about 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, ideally 10 minutes.
  9. Reform Indents: Right after baking, lightly press the centers again with a 1/4 tsp measure to deepen the thumbprints if needed. Use a circular cookie cutter to smooth the edges while still hot and to restore original shape and size.
  10. Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Make the Ganache: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat the heavy cream until it’s just about boiling, then pour it over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute. Stir gently until smooth and fully combined.
  12. Fill and Decorate: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of ganache into each cookie’s thumbprint well, adding more if space allows. Sprinkle nonpareils or other decorations if desired.
  13. Set Ganache: Chill the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to firm up.
  14. Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for up to three days.

Notes

  • Measure your flour properly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off with a knife or use a kitchen scale (1 cup flour = 125 g) to avoid dense cookies.
  • You can chill the dough balls together on one baking sheet and separate later before baking for convenience.
  • If you want to add flavor variations to the ganache, like mint, be aware it might affect the consistency—test small batches first.
  • Pressing the cookie centers after baking and reshaping with a cookie cutter ensures neat thumbprints and uniform size.
  • Cookies can be frozen pre-baked without filling for later baking and fresh ganache addition.

Keywords: chocolate thumbprint cookies, chocolate cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate ganache cookies, easy chocolate cookies, festive cookies

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/chocolate-thumbprint-cookies-recipe/