Why Make This Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
If you’re searching for a treat that combines delicious flavor with a stunning visual appeal, look no further than these Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies. These delightful cookies showcase the classic deep red color reminiscent of velvety cake, making them as festive as they are tasty. Each bite offers a tender, rich cookie balanced by the smooth and tangy cream cheese filling, ensuring a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or simply as a sweet weekend indulgence, these cookies are sure to turn heads—and make mouths water.
How to Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Baking Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies is surprisingly simple and fun! You’ll start by mixing together both the dry and wet ingredients to create a vibrant dough. Rolling the dough into small balls allows for creative filling with your cream cheese mixture, making the process as enjoyable as the final results. The cookies bake up soft with a lovely appearance that looks as good as it tastes!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sugar for dusting
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy and smooth.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until everything is well combined and the dough is a bright red color.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out to allow room for spreading.
- Make an indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb, creating a small well to hold the cream cheese filling.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until set and just slightly firm to the touch.
- While the cookies are baking, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, fill each thumbprint with the cream cheese mixture and dust with sugar before serving.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie (based on 24 cookies):
- Calories: 133
- Total Fat: 6.5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 17.5g
- Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Sodium: 95mg
Feel free to adjust serving sizes and curious snacks to meet your dietary plans!
How to Serve Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies shine as a beautiful centerpiece for any dessert table or festive occasion. Pair them with a glass of milk or a warm cup of tea for a perfect afternoon snack. Consider serving them alongside other sweets to create a delightful dessert platter for parties or special gatherings. They also make wonderful homemade gifts when packaged in cute boxes or jars!
How to Store Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you plan to keep them longer, consider refrigerating the cookies. Just remember that if they’re filled with cream cheese, it’s best to store them in the fridge where they can stay fresh for up to a week. For extended storage, you can freeze the baked cookies (without filling) for up to three months. Just thaw and then fill with cream cheese mixture before serving!
Expert Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
- Use room temperature ingredients: Having eggs, butter, and cream cheese at room temperature ensures the mixture comes together smoothly.
- Don’t overmix the dough: This keeps your cookies soft and chewy.
- Adjust the red food coloring: Depending on your preference, feel free to add more or less food coloring for a lighter or deeper hue.
- Experiment with flavors: Try adding a hint of almond extract to the cream cheese filling for a unique twist.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cookies: Add semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for an extra chocolatey flavor.
- Nutty Twist: Fold in finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough before baking.
- Coconut Delight: Mix in some shredded coconut into the cream cheese filling for a tropical touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a sugar substitute for this recipe?
Yes! You can use a sugar substitute such as Stevia or Erythritol. Just ensure to follow the conversion ratios as specified on the packaging for equivalent sweetness.
2. What if I don’t have cream cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute it with mascarpone or even Greek yogurt for a lighter filling. Adjust the sweetness to taste!
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling into balls.
Conclusion
These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are not only visually stunning but also a treat for the taste buds. Their soft texture and creamy filling make them irresistible for any occasion. So, roll up those sleeves and try making these delicious cookies! We’d love to hear how they turn out for you; feel free to share your baking experiences! Enjoy every bite!
Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy and smooth.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until everything is well combined and the dough is a bright red color.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out to allow room for spreading.
- Make an indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb, creating a small well to hold the cream cheese filling.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until set and just slightly firm to the touch.
- While the cookies are baking, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, fill each thumbprint with the cream cheese mixture and dust with sugar before serving.