Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Print Version)

Tender cocoa cookies with creamy cheesecake centers, perfect for festive occasions.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The red velvet crumb is impossibly tender, almost like a little cake disguised as a cookie
  • That cheesecake filling stays creamy even after baking, creating the most luxurious contrast
02 -
  • Overfilling the thumbprints causes the filling to spill over during baking, less is more here
  • The dough gets softer as it sits, if it becomes too sticky to work with chill it for 15 minutes
03 -
  • Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to achieve that deep red color without thinning your dough
  • Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable for achieving the right texture in both dough and filling

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