Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Tender cocoa cookies with vibrant red hue and smooth cream cheese filling, ideal for holidays and celebrations.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the 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 blended.
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 add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together 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 - Gently press your thumb or the back of a teaspoon into the center of each dough ball to create a deep well.
09 - Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling into each indentation, being careful not to overfill.
10 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are firm to the touch.
11 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They look impressive but come together in under 30 minutes
  • The tangy cream cheese cuts through the rich cocoa perfectly
02 -
  • The dough softens quickly as you work, so keep a cool kitchen or chill it briefly if needed
  • Overfilling the centers causes the filling to spill over during baking
03 -
  • Chill the dough for 15 minutes if your kitchen is warm, it prevents spreading
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and prevent a grainy texture

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