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Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
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Bake a batch of Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies that boast a tender texture and iconic deep red color. These cookies offer a nostalgic red velvet flavor enhanced with cocoa, a subtle hint of vanilla, and a customizable sweet center such as cream cheese, Nutella, or jam. Ideal for gifting or serving at parties, they combine pantry staples into an easy, delightful baking experience suitable for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups Sugar
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 tablespoons Buttermilk (or 2 tablespoons milk + 1 teaspoon white vinegar)
  • 2 teaspoons Red Food Coloring

Filling

  • 1/2 cup Cream Cheese Filling (or Nutella, jam, or other preferred sweet centers)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing just until you have a tender dough.
  2. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading when baked.
  3. Shape and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing evenly. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each cookie without breaking through the dough. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers remain soft.
  4. Add the Filling: Immediately after removing from the oven, press down on the thumbprint again if necessary to deepen the indentation. Fill each with cream cheese mixture or the filling of your choice while the cookies are still warm, allowing the filling to settle perfectly.
  5. Cool and Enjoy: Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Cooling lets them firm up to the ideal soft and chewy texture that makes these thumbprint cookies irresistible.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and consistent texture.
  • Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
  • Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Indent the thumbprints immediately after baking as well as before to maintain neat centers.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder and vanilla extract for deeper, richer flavor and color.
  • If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus milk, let sit 5 minutes.
  • Cookie dough and baked cookies can be frozen separately for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat leftover cookies at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to restore softness.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cookies, thumbprint cookies, soft and chewy cookies, cream cheese filled cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/perfectly-soft-chewy-red-velvet-thumbprint-cookies/