Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Printable)

Cocoa-rich red velvet cookies with creamy cheesecake filling, ready in 32 minutes for any festive occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Dough

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

→ Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
13 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
04 - Add egg yolk, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Beat until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
07 - Roll dough into 1-inch balls (approximately 24 cookies). Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
08 - Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball.
09 - Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling.
10 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until edges are set but centers still appear slightly soft.
11 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • That stunning red crumb against creamy white centers makes people think you spent hours on them
  • The chocolate and vanilla combo hits every comfort craving in one bite
02 -
  • Overfilled centers will bubble over and create a messy edge, less is more with the filling
  • The food coloring looks dark in the dough but bakes into that classic red velvet shade
03 -
  • Gel food coloring gives you that vibrant red without thinning your dough
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the cookies from spreading into flat puddles

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