These Chocolate Thumbprints are soft vanilla cookies that are pressed down in the middle and filled with a rich chocolate ganache.
There are some cookies that you know everyone will always love – and I’m a believer that thumbprint cookies fall into that category. Whether filled with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter – I’m always attracted to a thumbprint cookie!!
These little guys are no exception. I actually made them back at Christmas, when a co-worker of my husband’s was asking for cookie donations to take around to some people that needed some Christmas cheer. While flipping through Martha Stewart’s Cookie cookbook, (which seems to be my “go-to” cookie cookbook!), I saw these and immediately knew that I needed to make them – because these would cheer anyone up!!
The only problem I have with this recipe is that it says to press your thumb into the hot cookies, making the indentation half way through the baking time. Unless you have fingers that are completely heat-proof, this doesn’t work all that well. I suggest using the bottom of a wooden spoon – that has always done the job for me!!
Chocolate Thumbprints
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 2 teaspoons corn syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, the confectioners’ sugar, salt and vanilla on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in flour, beginning on low speed and increasing to medium until combined.
- Form balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each; place balls 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes, remove from oven, and press thumb into cookies to make deep, wide indentations. Rotate pan, and return to oven; bake until light brown on the edges, 7 to 9 minutes more. (If the indentations begin to lose definition, remove cookies from oven and press again.) Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Combine chocolate, the remaining 6 tablespoons butter, and the corn syrup in a small heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water; stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Allow to cool a bit until slightly thickened. Fill thumbprints with the chocolate mixture, and set aside to firm up. Cookies can be stored in single layers in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.
Manon says
Can we freeze them?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried freezing them but I’m guessing that they would freeze just fine.
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
You're so right! I would never pass up a thumprint. Those look delicious 🙂
grace says
i think i've burned my fingertips so many times, i could go ahead and press the hot cookies. bonus–no fingerprints as evidence of any crimes i may or may not have committed! 🙂
and i ask you–why fill with fruit when you can use chocolate?
Joanne says
Gotta love it when recipes give directions like that…crazy. Love this chocolate filling!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Pretty and so delicious looking!
Cheers,
Rosa
Jennifurla says
these look so perfect. I have only made PB ones. Also this cookie has the best color.
Evan B says
Yum! Believe it or not I would never think to make thumbprint cookies when its not Christmas so I'm glad you broke that rule 🙂 They look delicious!
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
Ahh, thumbprint cookies! I haven’t made them in years. My little sister always requested them when we were little and we always filled them with my Mom’s homemade raspberry jam!
Holly says
These look soo yummy!! I haven't had them with chocolate…yet;)