Description
Indulgent chocolate thumbprint cookies bring classic comfort with a delightful twist of rich ganache nestled in buttery, crumbly centers. Chocolate lovers will savor these irresistible treats that melt effortlessly, delivering pure bliss in each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (188 grams) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup (40 grams) Dutch process cocoa powder
- 0.75 cup (168 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup (165 grams) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (200 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks, room temperature
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
Seasoning and Stabilizing Ingredients:
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Optional Decoration:
- Nonpareils
Instructions
- Lay out parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl to eliminate lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly for 2 minutes until fully integrated.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms without overmixing.
- Shape the dough into 34 uniform balls, creating a gentle indentation in the center of each using your thumb.
- Refrigerate the prepared dough for 1 hour to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring consistent temperature for even baking.
- Arrange dough balls 1.5 inches apart on prepared sheets, baking for 9-11 minutes until edges are slightly firm.
- While cookies are still hot, gently re-press the centers to maintain the signature indentation.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling them to firm up without breaking.
- Prepare ganache by heating cream until it reaches near-boiling point, then pour over chocolate and let sit briefly before stirring until silky smooth.
- Carefully fill each cookie’s center with ganache, optionally decorating with festive sprinkles for added visual appeal.
- Chill cookies for 10-15 minutes to help ganache set and achieve a perfect, glossy finish.
Notes
- Ensure parchment paper covers entire baking sheet to prevent sticking and easy cookie removal.
- Sift dry ingredients to eliminate cocoa powder lumps and create smoother, more consistent cookie texture.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for better incorporation and smoother mixing process.
- Chill dough to prevent spreading and enhance rich, dense chocolate flavor during baking.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 289 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg