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Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies with a Festive Twist Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 140 reviews

These Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are a festive and delightful twist on a classic treat. Featuring a vibrant red cocoa dough with a creamy, luscious cream cheese filling, these cookies are soft, tender, and perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion. The rich chocolate flavor combined with tangy cream cheese makes for an irresistible cookie experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons (14g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) white vinegar
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or homemade)
  • 1–2 ounces (30-60ml) red gel food coloring

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3–4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Garnish

  • Additional powdered sugar for dusting
  • Melted white chocolate for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure an easy clean-up and prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened natural cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside this dry mix for later use.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will give your cookies a tender texture.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and white vinegar to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  5. Add Food Coloring: Incorporate 1 to 2 ounces of red gel food coloring into the dough, mixing well until the dough attains a vibrant and uniform red color, perfect for festive occasions.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredient mixture in three portions, alternating with two additions of buttermilk. Mix on low speed and only until the flour streaks disappear to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
  7. Chill Dough: Scrape the dough into a ball, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Chilling is essential for easier shaping and better texture.
  8. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling Base: In a clean stand mixer bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Remember to scrape down the sides frequently for even blending.
  9. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Then increase to medium-high speed and beat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the filling is light and fluffy.
  10. Flavor Filling: Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the filling’s flavor, achieving a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
  11. Prepare Filling for Piping: Transfer the cream cheese filling into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip or a resealable bag with a corner snipped off. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes if the filling needs to firm up for easier piping.
  12. Form Cookie Balls: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop (approximately 30g) or your hands, shape uniform balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart.
  13. Create Thumbprints: Gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the back of a rounded measuring spoon, creating a perfect cavity to hold the filling.
  14. Fill Cookies: Carefully pipe or spoon a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling into each thumbprint indentation, ensuring each cookie gets a creamy center.
  15. Bake Cookies: Bake uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until the edges are set and the cream cheese filling appears set and slightly puffed but not browned.
  16. Initial Cooling: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on them for 5 to 7 minutes. This helps the cookies firm up and prevents breakage.
  17. Complete Cooling: Transfer the cookies gently to a wire rack to cool completely. Proper cooling ensures that the cream cheese filling fully sets and the cookies reach optimal texture.
  18. Garnish (Optional): Once cool, optionally dust the cookies with extra powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate to add an elegant finishing touch perfect for festive displays.
  19. Store Cookies: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days due to the cream cheese filling’s perishability. They can also be frozen for 2 to 3 months by separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened at room temperature for smoother mixing.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to ½ cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without affecting dough consistency.
  • Do not overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies; mix until flour streaks just disappear.
  • Chilling the dough enhances flavor and makes it easier to handle.
  • To avoid filling leakage during baking, do not overfill the thumbprints.
  • Cookies freeze well; arrange them with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • For best results, serve cookies at room temperature after chilling or thawing.

Keywords: cream cheese cookies, thumbprint cookies, red velvet cookies, festive cookies, holiday desserts, cream cheese filling

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/cream-cheese-thumbprint-cookies-with-a-festive-twist-recipe/