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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Rich Chocolate Ganache Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 88 reviews

These Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are rich, fudgy, and perfectly indulgent treats featuring a soft cocoa cookie base filled with smooth, creamy ganache. With a simple chocolate dough that is chilled for perfect texture and a luscious chocolate ganache filling, these cookies are an irresistible delight for chocolate lovers and are easy to prepare for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup (40 g) cocoa powder (Dutch process)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup (200 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream

Optional Toppings

  • Nonpareils for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the light brown sugar and granulated white sugar for about two minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Mix in the room temperature egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract. Continue mixing for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Form Dough Balls and Indent: Using about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, scoop out 34 portions and roll each into a ball. Place the balls on prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Press down gently on each ball with a 1/4 teaspoon to create an indent.
  6. Chill the Dough: Chill the prepared dough balls for at least one hour. You can chill all the dough together on one baking sheet and separate onto multiple sheets prior to baking.
  7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake Cookies: Arrange the chilled dough balls about 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, with 10 minutes being ideal, until cookies are set.
  9. Re-shape Indents: Immediately after baking, press down on the cookie centers again with a 1/4 teaspoon to deepen the indents, and optionally use a circular cookie cutter around the edges while the cookies are still warm to create a perfect round shape and restore size.
  10. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare Ganache: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat heavy cream on the stove or in the microwave until just about boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.
  12. Fill Cookies: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the warm ganache into each cookie’s indent, filling generously if space allows.
  13. Add Toppings and Chill: Sprinkle nonpareils or desired sprinkles on top if using. Chill the filled cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
  14. Storage: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to three days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Spoon and level flour when measuring for accurate amounts to avoid dry or dense cookies.
  • Use room temperature egg yolks to ensure they incorporate smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the cookie shape and texture during baking.
  • If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract is a perfect substitute.
  • The ganache can be customized with dark or milk chocolate depending on your preference.
  • Nonpareils add a festive touch and slight crunch but can be omitted if desired.

Keywords: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, chocolate cookies, thumbprint cookies, ganache cookies, cocoa cookies, homemade chocolate cookies, chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/chocolate-thumbprint-cookies-with-rich-chocolate-ganache-recipe/