Description
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are a decadent chocolate lovers’ dream: fudgy, chewy cookies crowned with a silky chocolate ganache center. These rich bites bake quickly, store well, and shine on any dessert board, gifting tray, or holiday assortment. The deep cocoa aroma, buttery texture, and gooey center make them irresistible for Pinterest-worthy photos and everyday indulgence alike—perfect for entertaining, bake sales, or simply treating yourself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
Chocolate Ganache Filling:
- ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolk, vanilla, and milk; mix until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheets. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in each cookie.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until set around the edges. If the centers puff up, gently press down again while warm.
- To make ganache, heat cream until hot (not boiling) and pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
- Spoon ganache into each cookie center and let set at room temperature or chill slightly for a firmer texture.
Notes
- Keep dough refrigerated if not baking all at once; it firms the centers for a cleaner indentation.
- If centers puff, press down gently while cookies are warm to ensure a well-filled center.
- Ganache can be made ahead and gently reheated before filling.
- Store refrigerated up to 5 days or freeze baked cookies for longer storage.
- Rose a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for an extra layer of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, ganache cookies, chocolaty cookies, dessert recipes, holiday cookies, bake sale treats, decadent cookies, chocolate ganache center, chewy cookies, cocoa desserts