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Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
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Perfectly Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies combine a tender, melt-in-your-mouth softness with a chewy bite and vibrant red velvet flavor. Featuring a charming thumbprint center filled with cream cheese or jam, these cookies are ideal for holidays, parties, or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 cup buttermilk or sour cream

Fillings

  • Cream cheese filling or your favorite jam (e.g., raspberry, lemon curd)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution and help the cookies rise to perfect softness.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a lighter cookie and contributes to the chewy texture.
  3. Add eggs, vanilla, and food coloring: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and red food coloring. Mix until the dough forms a uniform bright red color without streaks.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture with the buttermilk or sour cream, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to maintain dough tenderness.
  5. Shape the thumbprints and add filling: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in each ball, then fill the centers with cream cheese mixture or jam.
  6. Bake and cool: Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for smooth, even dough mixing.
  • Avoid overmixing wet and dry ingredients to keep cookies soft and tender.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  • Chill dough slightly before making thumbprints to prevent flattening while shaping.
  • Fill cookies immediately before baking to prevent filling leakage and keep centers distinct.

Nutrition

Keywords: Red Velvet Cookies, Thumbprint Cookies, Soft Cookies, Chewy Cookies, Cream Cheese Filling, Jam Filled Cookies, Holiday Cookies

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