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Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese

These festive cookies combine red velvet flavor with cream cheese filling for a holiday twist on classic thumbprints. Rolled in sparkly sugar for extra festive flair.

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:27:31 GMT
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A plate of red velvet cookies topped with a round dollop of creamy frosting. Pin it
A plate of red velvet cookies topped with a round dollop of creamy frosting. | zestplate.com

I discovered these Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies last Christmas and they've become my signature holiday treat. The combination of soft red velvet cookie and creamy cheese filling just melts in your mouth. Every time I bring them to a party people's eyes light up at their festive look. Trust me these little gems work their magic whether it's the holidays Valentine's Day or just because you're craving something special.

Festive and Delicious

There's something magical about how these cookies blend that classic red velvet taste with cream cheese filling. The filling adds this perfect tangy sweetness that makes you want just one more bite. I love how easy they are to make too even my kids help roll the dough in sparkly sugar. These always disappear first from my cookie platters no matter what else I'm serving.

Perfect Ingredients

  • Red Velvet Cookies: You'll need softened butter it makes everything mix better. Regular sugar for sweetness one large egg straight from the fridge and vanilla extract for that homey flavor. The red gel food coloring is key here regular flour cocoa powder for that hint of chocolate and just a touch of baking soda and salt to make everything work together.
  • Cream Cheese Filling: Get your cream cheese nice and soft powdered sugar sifted so it's smooth as silk and a splash of vanilla to make it extra special.
  • For Rolling: I love using red and green sugar or festive sprinkles they add such a pretty sparkle.

Easy-to-Follow Steps

Prepare the Dough
Start by beating your butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. Mix in your egg vanilla and that beautiful red food coloring. In another bowl whisk your dry ingredients then slowly mix everything together. Don't overmix or your cookies might get tough.
Chill the Dough
Pop your dough in the fridge for half an hour. If you're in a hurry 15 minutes in the freezer works too.
Prepare the Filling
While the dough chills mix up your cream cheese filling until it's silky smooth then keep it cold until you need it.
Shape and Bake
Roll little balls of dough in sparkly sugar make a thumbprint and bake them until they're just set. If the centers puff up just press them down while they're warm.
Fill and Chill
Once they're cool fill each cookie with that creamy filling. Let them hang out in the fridge for a bit to set up.

Ingredient Highlights

Every ingredient plays its part in making these cookies special. The butter makes them rich and tender while the sugar gives them that perfect sweetness. That touch of cocoa powder? That's what makes them truly red velvet. I always use gel food coloring because it gives such a gorgeous color without making the dough wet. The cream cheese filling is my favorite part though it's like the perfect little crown on top.

A plate of red velvet cookies dusted with powdered sugar, featuring a creamy white chocolate filling in the center, with one cookie split in half to show the filling. Pin it
A plate of red velvet cookies dusted with powdered sugar, featuring a creamy white chocolate filling in the center, with one cookie split in half to show the filling. | zestplate.com

Presentation Tips

These cookies look stunning on a holiday platter next to classic sugar cookies or gingerbread. When I'm giving them as gifts I love putting them in clear bags with pretty ribbons. Sometimes I'll drizzle a bit of white chocolate on top or add some sparkly sugar for fancy occasions. They always look impressive no matter how you serve them.

Pro Tips for Success

After making these countless times I've learned a few tricks. Always use gel food coloring it works so much better than liquid. Don't skip chilling the dough it makes such a difference in how they bake. Make sure your cream cheese is really soft before mixing the filling nobody likes lumps. If the dough gets sticky while you're working with it just dust your hands with a little flour. And don't overfill the centers or you'll have a mess on your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why chill the dough?

Chilling firms dough for easier shaping and prevents spreading while baking.

→ What food coloring works best?

Gel food coloring provides vibrant color without adding excess liquid.

→ Can I make these ahead?

Yes, store filled cookies in fridge up to 3 days.

→ Why let cookies cool before filling?

Prevents cream cheese filling from melting or becoming runny.

→ Can I freeze these cookies?

Freeze unfilled cookies up to 3 months; add filling after thawing.

Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Classic thumbprint cookies with a red velvet twist, filled with cream cheese frosting and rolled in festive sprinkles.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened.
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
03 1 large egg, room temperature.
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
05 1 teaspoon red food coloring.
06 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
07 2 tablespoons cocoa powder.
08 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
09 1/8 teaspoon salt.
10 4 ounces cream cheese, softened.
11 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
12 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
13 1/4 cup red/green sanding sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

Cream softened butter and granulated sugar together with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 02

Beat in egg, vanilla extract and red food coloring until mixture becomes vibrant red and well combined.

Step 03

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in separate bowl to remove any lumps.

Step 04

Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 05

Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate minimum 30 minutes until firm enough to handle.

Step 06

Meanwhile, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Step 07

Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 08

Scoop chilled dough into 1-tablespoon portions and roll into balls.

Step 09

Roll each ball thoroughly in sanding sugar until completely coated.

Step 10

Place sugar-coated balls on prepared sheets about 2 inches apart.

Step 11

Create indent in center of each cookie using thumb or back of spoon.

Step 12

Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain slightly soft.

Step 13

Re-press indents if needed while cookies are still warm.

Step 14

Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes before moving to wire rack.

Step 15

Fill cooled cookies with cream cheese mixture using spoon or piping bag.

Notes

  1. Perfect holiday cookie.
  2. Make ahead friendly.
  3. Festive appearance.
  4. Kid friendly project.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric mixer.
  • Baking sheets.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Piping bag (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter, cream cheese).
  • Eggs.
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 130
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 2 g