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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

November 16, 2021 by Ginny Dyer 48 Comments

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Chocolate thumbprint cookies are rich and chewy dark chocolate cookies with velvety smooth chocolate ganache centers.

If you're looking for other Christmas cookie recipes check out my spritz cookies, double chocolate peppermint cookies, Christmas kitchen sink cookies, or chocolate dipped peppermint sugar cookies!

Why You'll Love these Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

They're SO chocolatey. The cookies are made with Dutch process cocoa powder for the best dark chocolate flavor. Then they're filled with a thick chocolate ganache. *Chef's kiss*

They've got the best texture. These are chewy cookies! Each bit truly melts in your mouth.

They're pretty easy to make! They only require a few ingredients, and the dough only takes a few minutes to make. After it's chilled, the cookies bake for 10 minutes and then are filled with an easy chocolate ganache.

Ingredients for Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  • Flour- all-purpose flour is used for the best "chew"
  • Cocoa Powder- I recommend using Dutch process for a richer chocolate flavor
  • Salt- helps bring out all the flavors in these cookies
  • Baking Powder- helps the cookies to rise slightly
  • Butter- make sure it's softened
  • Brown Sugar- mostly brown sugar is used for chewier cookies
  • Granulated White Sugar- used along side the brown sugar
  • Egg Yolks- make sure they're room temperature
  • Vanilla- as always I recommend vanilla bean paste for the best flavor, but extract will work as well
  • Chocolate Chips- semi-sweet works best, you can also use a chopped semi-sweet chocolate bar
  • Heavy Cream- used in the ganache
  • Sprinkles- optional, but Christmas nonpareils look cute on top of the cookies!

Step by Step Instructions

Please see recipe below for complete measurements and baking time!

STEP ONE: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder together.


STEP TWO: Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated white sugar together.


STEP THREE: Add in egg yolks and vanilla and mix until fluffy.


STEP FOUR: Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.


STEP FIVE: Scoop the dough and roll into balls. Press with a ¼ teaspoon to make an indent. Chill the dough. Then bake the cookies.

STEP SIX: While the cookies cool make the ganache.

STEP SEVEN: Fill each cookie with ganache, then add some sprinkles on top.

Please see recipe below for complete measurements and baking time!

FAQs

How do I store the cookies? Keep the cookies in an airtight container for up to three days, or freeze for up to two weeks.

Do I really need to chill the dough? Yes, the dough absolutely needs to be chilled to help the cookies better keep their shape.

Pro Tips

Measure your flour properly. This is always my #1 baking tip. Do not ever scoop a measuring cup into your flour. This will always lead to using too much flour. (Trust me, I've learned the hard way that I need to measure properly!) Instead, scoop spoonfuls of flour into your measuring cup and swipe excess flour off with the back of a knife. Or better yet, weigh your flour. 1 cup of flour equals 120-125 grams.

When the cookies are straight out of the oven, go around them in a circular motion with a circular cookie cutter. This will help the cookies to go back to their previous smaller size before baking, and it'll give them a perfect circular shape!

Use a ¼ teaspoon to make the indents in the cookie dough. I know these are called "thumbprint" cookies, but a ¼ teaspoon will give you much prettier indents!

If you make these cookies please leave a review, it's so helpful for me! Tag me on Instagram @inbloombakery_ so I can see as well! Follow me on Pinterest for other dessert ideas!

Other Recipes to Try

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Spritz Cookies

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate thumbprint cookies are rich and chewy dark chocolate cookies with velvety smooth chocolate ganache centers.
4.98 from 42 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Chill Time 1 hr
Servings 34 cookies

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled see notes
  • ½ cup (40 g) cocoa powder Dutch process
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

For the Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup (200 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • nonpareils for sprinkling on top optional

Instructions
 

For the Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Add flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder to a medium sized bowl. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
  • Add butter, brown sugar and granulated white sugar to a large bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer for two minutes.
  • Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the butter/sugar mixture and mix until pale in color and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
  • Scoop the dough into 34 portions, then roll into balls. (About 1 tablespoon of dough.)
  • Transfer the dough to the baking sheets.
  • Using a ¼ tsp, press down on the dough balls to create an indent.
  • Chill the prepared indented dough balls for at least one hour. (You can chill all the dough together on one baking sheet and then separate it out on multiple baking sheets when ready to bake.)

Baking the Cookies

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Arrange the prepared dough about 1 ½ inches apart on the baking sheets.
  • Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. (I think 10 minutes is perfect.)
  • When the cookies are done baking, lightly press down on the centers again with a ¼ tsp. (They may have lost their indent a little as they baked.) Go around them in a circular motion with a circular cookie cutter/biscuit cutter while they are still hot to give them a perfect circular shape, and to get them back to their original smaller size.
  • Then let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a cooling rack to completely cool.

For the Chocolate Ganache

  • Add the chocolate chips to a small bowl.
  • Heat the heavy cream in the microwave, or on the stove, until just about boiling.
  • Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute.
  • Stir to combine the cream and chocolate together.

Assembling the Cookies

  • Fill each well of the cookies with about 1 teaspoon of ganache, more if it'll fit.
  • Sprinkle sprinkles over the cookies if you wish.
  • Chill the cookies in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
  • Store left overs in an air tight container for up to three days.

Notes

Measure your flour properly. This is always my #1 baking tip. Do not ever scoop a measuring cup into your flour. This will always lead to using too much flour. (Trust me, I've learned the hard way that I need to measure properly!) Instead, sprinkle spoonfuls of flour into your measuring cup and swipe excess flour off with the back of a knife. Or better yet, weigh your flour. 1 cup of flour equals 125 grams.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
« Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies »

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Comments

  1. Anonymous

    November 29, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    Must have for the holidays

  2. Abhya

    December 04, 2021 at 8:15 am

    Any eggless option available??

  3. Anonymous

    December 08, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    Just wow! These are fantastic! I can’t wait to bring these to my Christmas party!

  4. Allison

    December 08, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    5 stars
    Completely addicted. These are my new fav cookies. Easy to make and even better to eat! Thanks for the awesome recipe 🙂

  5. Anonymous

    December 08, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect for christmas! Delicious too

  6. Chloe

    December 08, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    4 stars
    Soooo Delicious!!!
    Had a bit of trouble with the dough...way to buttery and sticky for rolling even after chilling but I probably messed up somewhere. Had trouble with the "thumbprint" since my teaspoons are oval haha !

  7. Nicki

    December 08, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make - I made these with my husband who has never baked before and he had a fun time! Mine turned out a little salty (maybe from using natural cocoa instead of Dutch processed) but still delicious and very pretty!

  8. Lee

    December 09, 2021 at 3:07 am

    5 stars
    These are great and I’ll be making them again and again. I like that the recipe is exact, like you’re not left with too much or too little ganache. Only thing I’d recommend is baking for about 8-9 minutes. They come out incredibly soft but just let them be and they’ll harden as they cool. I baked for 10 minutes and they were a little too hard for my liking.

  9. Ginny Dyer

    December 09, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Hey Lee! Thanks so much for trying the cookies! 🙂 I'm glad you like them and for sure you can alway bake them for a little less time! 🙂

  10. Melissa

    December 13, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    Cookies were fabulous! My students loved them. Anything with chocolate ganache is a winner in my book 😉

  11. Ginny Dyer

    December 13, 2021 at 8:40 pm

    Hey Melissa! I'm so glad you all enjoyed! Thanks so much for trying them out 🙂

  12. Claire C

    December 13, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last minute after a chocolate chip cookie fail. They were a hit! So delicious! And turned out perfect.

  13. Hilary

    December 14, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Hi! These look amazing and I’m hoping them to make them for the holidays. I am hoping to make them in advance, do you know if they freeze well?

  14. Ginny Dyer

    December 15, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    Hi Hilary! I froze some for about a week and yes they seemed to be okay! Of course they are better fresh though 🙂

  15. Tammy

    December 16, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    I just made these cookies, to me I would make the dough and roll them into balls and indent the cookies and then chill the cookies i believe would work better personally but they look pretty.

  16. Ginny Dyer

    December 17, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Hi Tammy. That's exactly what the recipe says to do.

  17. Dalia

    December 18, 2021 at 8:18 am

    Amazing cookies! Just wondering if I can make ahead and chill the raw dough in the fridge for several hours (if I have errands to run) and then bake them later? Or will the dry up too much?

  18. Caroline P

    December 18, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    THESE ARE AMAZING

  19. Ginny Dyer

    December 19, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    Yay! I'm so glad you like! 🙂

  20. Ginny Dyer

    December 19, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    Hi Dalia! Yes you can definitely leave the prepared dough balls in the fridge, I would just cover them to avoid them getting dry!

  21. Cleo

    December 20, 2021 at 5:08 am

    5 stars
    I just made these and they are delicious! Thank you for the recipe, I will definitely make them again! Merry Christmas😊🕊🎄🌟

  22. Ginny Dyer

    December 21, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    Hi Cleo! I'm so glad you enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  23. Anonymous

    December 23, 2021 at 5:12 am

    5 stars
    I can not begin to describe these cookies… decadent, soft, chocolaty goodness! I am a huge chocolate lover and these are absolutely incredible… I might have to keep them stocked up just for a sweet treat. The filling in the thumbprint is truly divine!

  24. Tracy

    December 23, 2021 at 5:12 pm

    5 stars
    Made these for the second time this week and this time I put half of a maraschino cherry in the center before adding the chocolate ganache. SO GOOD! Thank you for this amazing recipe!

  25. Amy

    December 23, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Hi! I’m making these tonight and had a quick question. Am I suppose to sift the flour before I measure it or no?

  26. Jenna Salamon

    December 24, 2021 at 1:29 am

    5 stars
    The best chocolate cookie I have ever had!

  27. Anonymous

    December 24, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    Could a vanilla bean work as well?

  28. Ginny Dyer

    December 24, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    Hi! Nope 🙂 just make sure to spoon it into your measuring cup and swipe excess off with the back of a knife 🙂

  29. Ginny Dyer

    December 24, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Absolutely! A vanilla bean would be even better! 🙂

  30. Ginny Dyer

    December 24, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Yay! That makes me SO happy to hear! Merry Christmas <3

  31. Ginny Dyer

    December 24, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    Ooo that sounds so good!! Thanks for trying them out 🙂

  32. Ginny Dyer

    December 24, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    I'm so glad you like them!! 🙂

  33. Aleksandra

    January 05, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    Hi Ginny!
    These cookies look amazing!
    I'll try to bake them tonight!
    But I prefer grams than cups, and I'd like you to write recipe with gr too!
    Thanks for the recipe 🙂

  34. Ken

    February 15, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    5 stars
    These were amazing!

  35. Delilah

    April 10, 2022 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    These cookies were beyond tasty!

    But my cookie comes out slightly cracked and not perfectly smooth as yours in the pictures - any reason for why this may be happening?

  36. Ginny Dyer

    April 10, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    Hi Delilah! I'm glad they were tasty! The biggest reason is probably too much flour was used. See the recipe notes for more on this 🙂

  37. Amanda

    April 27, 2022 at 1:33 am

    I made these for a coworker and put a raspberry drizzle over instead of sprinkles and he absolutely loves them and has asked me to make him over 4 dozen cookies all together.

  38. Linda

    November 02, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    Fantastic recipe, loved by all! I am going to make the filling by using different jams and a drizzle of ganache. Prepping for the holidays.

  39. Melanie

    November 27, 2022 at 2:31 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is a keeper. My cookies turned out beautifully. It was easy to follow the instructions and I was thrilled with the result. I planned to add this to gift cookie gift boxes I make this holiday season.

  40. Melanie

    November 27, 2022 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is a keeper! My cookies turned out beautifully. It was easy to follow the instructions and I was thrilled with the result. I plan to add these to the cookie gift boxes I make this holiday season.

    Re-wrote the review as I wasn't able to edit the previous one I wrote.

  41. Lisa

    December 05, 2022 at 7:03 pm

    Hi Ginny!

    I cannot find Dutch process cocoa powder! Can I sub other high quality cocoa powder? Or anything I can do?

  42. Ginny Dyer

    December 05, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    Hey Lisa! You can use natural/regular cocoa powder! The cookies just won't be as dark in color.

  43. Amanda

    December 09, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    Would black cocoa powder work well? I have that or regular Baking cocoa.

  44. Nicole

    December 12, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    These are incredibly tasty cookies but mine cracked even though I followed the exactly to the gram AND used an oven thermometer while baking ! They looked exactly like the pictures till the 7th minute in the oven and then expanded more and cracked.
    Any idea what could have gone wrong.

  45. kathy

    December 17, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING!!!! SO SO SO DELICIOUS 😋 😋

  46. Heather

    December 18, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    I wasn't sure what to expect, but these are really good. I put a glace cherry on top of the ganache. I am so impressed, thanks for the recipe. They're so easy too!

  47. Laura

    December 21, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    Her cookies have not failed me yet. I would just love to know what she does with all the extra egg whites

  48. Susan Drake

    January 25, 2023 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    These are excellent. I plan on adding them to my Christmas cookie lineup. My college age kids ate these up while home on break. I am going to make them with Valentine sprinkles to send off to them in a couple of weeks. Thank you for a very tasty recipe that was easy to follow and came out both pretty and delicious!

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Hi there, I'm Ginny!

I'm the baker and food photographer behind In Bloom Bakery! Here you'll find elevated, delicious desserts for every home baker. Whether you're looking for classics like chocolate chip cookies, or something new and exciting like blueberry lavender cake, you'll find it all here. Happy baking friends.

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