Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Cocoa-rich red velvet cookies with indented centers filled with smooth cream cheese frosting. Festive, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to make.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/4 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg yolk
08 - 1 tbsp whole milk
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - 1 tsp red food coloring

→ Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Add egg yolk, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually mix in the dry ingredients on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
07 - Roll dough into 1-inch balls, approximately 24 cookies total. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
08 - Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, gently press a deep indentation into the center of each dough ball.
09 - Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the prepared cream cheese filling.
10 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until edges are set and centers are slightly firm.
11 - Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • The red velvet crumb is impossibly tender, almost like cake but sturdy enough to hold that luscious filling
  • These cookies strike the perfect balance between rich cocoa and bright tangy cream cheese
02 -
  • Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it feels too sticky to work with, which happens in warm kitchens
  • The indentations will puff up slightly during baking, so press deeper than you think you need to
03 -
  • Gel food coloring produces a more vibrant red without affecting the dough consistency
  • A small cookie scoop makes uniform balls faster and cleaner than hand rolling

Return