Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Print version)

Cocoa-rich red velvet cookies filled with creamy cheesecake centers. A festive treat ready in just over 30 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/4 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg yolk
08 - 1 tbsp whole milk
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - 1 tsp red food coloring

→ Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Mix in egg yolk, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually fold in dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
07 - Roll dough into 1-inch balls, approximately 24 cookies total. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart.
08 - Gently press your thumb or the back of a teaspoon into the center of each ball to create a deep well.
09 - Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of cream cheese filling into each indentation.
10 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set and centers are slightly firm.
11 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cookies look like you spent hours in the bakery but come together in under 40 minutes
  • The red velvet crumb is impossibly tender while staying sturdy enough to hold that luscious filling
  • People literally gasp when they see them on a dessert platter
02 -
  • Don't skip chilling the dough for 10 minutes if your kitchen is warm, otherwise the thumbprints will lose their shape
  • The cream cheese filling will puff slightly in the oven, so don't overfill or it will spill over the edges
  • These cookies taste even better the next day as the flavors meld and the filling sets
03 -
  • Wear gloves when mixing the food coloring unless you want red hands for three days
  • If the dough feels too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling into balls
  • Make the filling while the dough chills so everything is ready to assemble

Return