Description
Sweet red velvet thumbprint cookies embrace classic Southern charm, blending rich cocoa and velvety texture into delicate bite-sized treats. Cream cheese centers create irresistible indulgence you cannot resist, making these cookies perfect for holiday gatherings or intimate dessert moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces (115 g) cream cheese, softened
Flavor and Color Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Binding and Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (50 g) powdered sugar (for rolling, optional)
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whip the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a silky, uniform filling, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Carefully transfer the creamy mixture into a piping bag or a sturdy resealable plastic bag, trimming the corner for precise dispensing.
- Place the prepared filling in the refrigerator to chill and maintain its structure while you prepare the cookie base.
- Gently cool the filling until you’re ready to assemble the thumbprint cookies, allowing it to set and develop a firmer consistency.
- Keep the filling chilled to preserve its smooth texture and make piping easier when creating the cookie centers.
Notes
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature ensures a smooth, lump-free filling that pipes easily and blends perfectly with powdered sugar.
- Use a star-tipped piping bag for an elegant, professional-looking swirl of cream cheese filling in the cookie centers.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same rich red velvet texture and taste.
- Chill the filled cookies briefly before serving to help the cream cheese filling set and create a more stable, picture-perfect presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg