Description
These Heart Shaped Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies combine rich cocoa flavor with a sweet fruit jam center, perfect for a delightful treat. Soft and tender with a touch of fruity sweetness, these cookies are charming and easy to make, ideal for any occasion that calls for a personal and delicious dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
Filling
- ¼ cup fruit jam (raspberry, strawberry, or your favorite flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a smooth, combined mixture.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add milk and form dough: Stir in the milk until the dough comes together into a soft, workable consistency suitable for rolling.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough into small balls roughly 1 inch in diameter and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create thumbprints: Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, press a small indentation into the center of each dough ball to form a well for the jam filling.
- Fill with jam: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of your chosen fruit jam into each indentation, being careful not to overfill to prevent spilling during baking.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm to the touch and set around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- You can use any flavor of fruit jam you prefer for the filling, such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender and soft.
- If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a decorative touch, dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar.
