Description
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are soft, tender cookies with a rich chocolate base and a sweet jam center. Perfectly balanced with deep cocoa flavor and a fruity burst, these cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings, cozy snacks, or gifting. Their charming shape and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- 3 tablespoons jam or preserves (raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or your choice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Begin by creaming the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to shape and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, just until they’re set but still soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and immediately press the indentations again if needed to maintain the space for the jam filling.
- Add the Jam Filling: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet, then fill each indentation with your choice of jam or preserves. Return the cookies to the oven for an additional 2–3 minutes to slightly set the jam.
- Cool Completely and Serve: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool fully before serving or storing. This ensures the jam sets nicely without making the cookies soggy.
Notes
- Use butter softened to room temperature for the smoothest dough texture.
- Stir the dough just enough to combine ingredients for tender cookies, avoiding toughness.
- If the dough becomes too warm while shaping, chill it again to prevent spreading.
- Press the thumbprint indentation again immediately after baking to keep the jam contained.
- Try different jams or preserves to customize flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months with parchment paper between layers.
- Warm cookies gently in microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes plus 3 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg