• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Trending Now: Simple One Pan Meals!
  • About
  • Lifestyle
  • Favorite Products
  • Contact

Mad About Food

Easy Healthy Whole Food Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Snack
    • Cocktails
    • Sauces, Dips, and Dressings
  • Protein
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Turkey
    • Meatless
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Grilling
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • One Pan Meal
  • Dietary
    • Gluten Free
    • Dairy Free
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Egg Free
    • Nut Free

Trending:

30 Minute Meals

Instant Pot

Air Fryer

One Pan

Meal Prep

Breakfast

Sauces, Dips and Dressings

Home Blog Recipes

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

print comments
Share
Share on:
Jump to Recipe
By: MadelinePosted: 12/02/2021Updated: 12/03/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie! Swap the jelly in your buttery shortbread cookies for a creamy chocolate ganache.

Above view of chocolate thumbprint cookies on a serving tray

Holiday Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

These soft and delicious shortbread chocolate ganache cookies will be a hit for any cookie swap, holiday party, or just a sweet treat for you and your loved ones! Both the cookie and the ganache is simple to make and comes together quickly.

What is ganache, you might ask? It is a silky and smooth mixture of chocolate and cream. It pairs perfectly with these buttery shortbread thumbprint cookies. Read on to find out more about it!

Above view of ingredients for chocolate ganache cookies

Kitchen Tools

  • Measuring spoons and measuring cups
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or a stand mixer with paddle attachment
  • Plate
  • Parchment paper
  • 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop
  • Baking sheet
  • Small sauce pan
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Kitchen spoon
  • Whisk

How to ensure these chocolate thumbprint cookies keep their shape

Chocolate thumbprint cookies look super festive and cute, but if we don’t follow the proper steps, they may lose their shape in the baking process. The most important step is refrigerating the dough for at least an hour.

I like to scoop the cookies before I put them in the fridge to really make everything easier. Scooping hard dough is hard!

Sometimes they slightly lose the thumbprint during the baking process because the cookies rise. If this happens, just use the back of a kitchen spoon to reinforce the divot.

Above view of step by step assembly of shortbread cookie dough

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • All purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Egg yolks
  • Vanilla extract
  • Heavy cream (or coconut cream, see below)
  • Semi sweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Ganache Tips

The key to these chocolate ganache cookies is a smooth and creamy garnache. Chocolate ganache is a simple combination of warmed heavy cream and chocolate to form a smooth and silky filling.

The softness of ganache depends on the ratios. A one to one chocolate to heavy cream ratio is the standard, but it never quite hardens.

More heavy cream results in a thinner ganache and less heavy cream results in a thicker ganache. This recipe uses a bit less heavy cream than one to one so the filling thickens in your cookies!

You can also substitute a full fat coconut milk (from the can) in place of heavy cream if you are sensitive to dairy.

Step by step assembly of the chocolate shortbread cookies

How to make these Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Make the dough

Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until just combined. Don’t over beat to avoid spreading when baked.

Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract and beat to combine, scraping the sides as needed.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture, again scraping the sides as needed, until fully combined

Step 3: Scoop and Thumbprint

Line a large plate or something that will fit in your fridge with parchment paper. Scoop dough balls with a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop and roll into a ball. Press down into the center of each ball with your thumb, making sure not to puncture through the bottom.

Line the plate with the cookies and place in the fridge for at least one hour.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the cookies at 375F for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. The thumbprint divot may have been slightly lost in the oven. Take a kitchen spoon and press back down in the divots while the cookies are still warm.

Cool cookies completely.

Step 5: Make The Ganache And Fill

Heat the heavy cream until just under a boil and pour it over the chocolate chips. Whisk together until completely smooth.

Let the ganache cool for at least 10 minutes. Then spoon it into the cookies and enjoy!

Chocolate ganache cookies on a serving board

Storage and freezing

Store these chocolate ganache cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.

You can freeze these cookies for later. Place the chocolate thumbprint cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the cookies to thaw in the fridge or on the counter and enjoy!

Buttery shortbread cookies filled with chocolate ganache and topped with powdered sugar

Check out these other Cookie Recipes

  • White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Mocha Cookies
  • Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • M&M Sugar Cookies

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Image for pinning Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies recipe on Pinterest
Chocolate ganache cookies on a serving board
Recipe

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews

Make chocolate thumprint cookies that are buttery shortbread cookies filled with a smooth chocolate ganache.

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 1 hour 35 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter – softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Combine flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl and set to the side. Beat softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until just combined. Don’t over beat because it can cause the cookies to spread when baked.
  2. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the bowl and beat to combine, scraping the sides as needed. Gradually mix in the flour mixture, again scraping the sides as needed, until fully combined.
  3. Line a large plate or something that will fit in your fridge with parchment paper. Scoop dough balls with a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop and roll each into a nice tight ball. Then, press down into the center of each ball with your thumb – nearly to the bottom, but not puncturing through. Place them all on the parchment lined plate or tray.
  4. Chill the dough balls for at least one hour in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 375F and transfer the dough to a parchment lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them
  5. Bake the cookies at 375F for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. The thumbprint may have risen some as the cookies baked so you can push it back down while the cookies are hot with the back of a small spoon.
  6. Allow the cookies to cool completely and while they cool prepare the ganache. Heat heavy cream until just under a boil then pour it over the chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl. Whisk the cream and chocolate together vigorously until the chocolate is fully melted and a smooth mixture remains. Let the ganache sit for at least 10 minutes.
  7. Spoon the chocolate ganache into the center of the fully cooled cookies. Serve the cookies on their own or topped with powdered sugar or melted caramel!
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Did you make my

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies?

Rate recipe Share on Insta Save recipe

I appreciate your reviews SO much! Mention @mad_about_food and hashtag your photo with #madaboutfood

  • Facebook
  • Email
Above view fo easy baked gnocchi recipe with a serving scooped out
Previous Post
Easy Baked Gnocchi Recipe
Side view of hot cocoa cookies recipe
Next Post
Hot Cocoa Cookies

About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Amanda says

    Posted on 12/6 at 6:18 pm

    Love this recipe! I can’t wait to make these for my friend’s Christmas party soon!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/8 at 12:41 pm

      yay I hope everyone loves them! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Emma says

    Posted on 12/7 at 7:33 pm

    These came out great! The coconut cream substitute worked perfectly. The cookie itself isn’t too sweet so the coconut chocolate ganache was a perfect complement. The only change I wish I had made was slightly smaller cookies – 1 tsp sized balls would probably have been plenty large, but I still got 28 out of the 1.5 tsp size.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/8 at 12:44 pm

      I’m glad you liked the coconut sub! thanks Emma!

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    Posted on 12/8 at 9:47 pm

    Nice recipe! I thought the cookie was very delicious – made half with the chocolate and half with raspberry jam.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    Posted on 12/9 at 12:46 pm

    So delish!! Thanks!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/9 at 3:13 pm

      thank you Rachel!

      Reply
  5. Danielle says

    Posted on 12/9 at 2:35 pm

    such a quick and easy recipe!! the ingredients are things I always have in my pantry this time of year- came in SO handy for a last minute party I have tonight!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/9 at 3:14 pm

      yay perfect! love when that happens. thanks Danielle!

      Reply
  6. Stephanie says

    Posted on 1/6 at 8:37 pm

    These were a hit for a new cookie this Christmas! Ganache adds the perfect amount of sweet.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

Read More

Popular Posts

Whole30 BLT Chicken Salad

Blueberry Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Ground Beef Baked Tacos

No Bread Turkey Club

Grab my

Top 5 Tips for Simplifying Meal Time!

Sign me up!

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Join me and 225k friends on instagram

"This is my third time making this recipe and it’s a fave for meal prepping! So delicious, quick and easy ☺️" - Jessica

Get Recipe

"This was so simple and delicious!! Worked late and still quickly put together a great meal." - Dana

Get Recipe

"So good! Not only was this incredibly easy to make, the flavor was perfect. I will definitely make this again and again!" - Mandy

Get Recipe
@mad_about_food
Back to Top

Courses

Dinners

Breakfasts

Desserts

Dips & Sauces

Popular

Instant Pot

Air Fryer

Meal Prep

Chicken Recipes

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 Mad About Food
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled