There’s nothing quite like the fragrant aroma of freshly baked Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies wafting through your kitchen. Picture this: rich, velvety cookie dough, kissed with a hint of cocoa, all topped with a luscious dollop of cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. Kolacky Cookies with Apricot Sugar Cookie Cheesecake It’s a delightful marriage of flavors and textures that demands your attention.

Jump to:
- <strong>Essential Ingredients</strong>
- <strong>Let’s Make it together</strong>
- <strong>Perfecting the Cooking Process</strong>
- <strong>Add Your Touch</strong>
- <strong>Storing & Reheating</strong>
- <strong>FAQ</strong>
- What makes these cookies red velvet?
- Can I use a different filling for thumbprints?
- How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
- 📖 Recipe Card
These cookies aren’t just any dessert; they hold a special place in my heart. I remember baking them for my best friend’s birthday party, where they quickly became the star of the dessert table—much to my surprise and delight! Every bite transports me back to that joyous occasion, making these cookies perfect for celebrations or simply indulging yourself.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies are deceptively easy to make, perfect for bakers of all levels
- Each bite offers a rich and sweet flavor profile that will leave you craving more
- The striking red hue makes them visually stunning for any occasion or gathering
- Versatile enough to serve at holidays or casual get-togethers, they fit every celebration beautifully
I’ll never forget the way my family reacted when they first tasted these cookies—they devoured them faster than I could say “seconds!”
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish: Soft Christmas Peppermints.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour for the best texture and structure in your cookies.
- Cocoa Powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder to achieve that deep chocolate flavor without added sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar: A key ingredient for sweetness; it helps create that delightful chewy texture.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
- Eggs: Fresh eggs are crucial; they act as binding agents and help with the dough’s richness.
- Red Food Coloring: Choose a quality gel food coloring to achieve vibrant color without altering the dough’s consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances flavor, making every bite more aromatic and delicious.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: You can make your own or use store-bought; it adds a creamy touch that complements the cookie perfectly.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it together
Prepare Your Dough: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process takes about 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Once creamy, add in the eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract and red food coloring. Mix well until you see a beautiful crimson color emerge from your batter.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Gradually incorporate this mix into your wet ingredients until just combined; be careful not to overmix!
Scoop & Shape Your Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out your dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Make an indention in each cookie using your thumb—this is where the frosting will go!
Bake and Cool Them Down : Place your baking sheets in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until edges are set but centers remain soft. Remove from oven and allow cooling on wire racks.
Add Cream Cheese Frosting : Once cooled completely, pipe or dollop cream cheese frosting into the thumbprints you made earlier. Get creative with how much you want to add!
Now you have gloriously vibrant Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies ready to impress anyone who lays eyes on them! Enjoy every rich bite while basking in culinary glory as friends and family rave about your baking skills. For more inspiration, check out this Thick and Chewy Cookies recipe.
You Must Know
- Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cookies
- The vibrant red color and creamy filling make them eye-catching
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor, and don’t skip chilling the dough to ensure proper texture
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing your dough and chilling it for at least an hour. While it’s chilling, preheat your oven. This ensures the cookies bake evenly, keeping their beautiful shape and red hue intact.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out the filling! Cream cheese frosting is a classic choice, but raspberry jam or chocolate ganache can add a unique twist. Get creative; it’s all about your taste!
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them warm, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To achieve perfect Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies, ensure your butter is softened but not melted for the right texture
- Utilize a cookie scoop for uniform sizes, preventing uneven baking
- Always let the cookies cool completely before adding toppings to maintain their structure
Creating Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies takes me back to family gatherings where laughter filled the kitchen as we decorated cookies together. The joy on everyone’s faces made all the effort worth it.
FAQ
What makes these cookies red velvet?
The red color comes from cocoa powder and food coloring, giving them that iconic hue.
Can I use a different filling for thumbprints?
Absolutely! Try peanut butter or lemon curd for a delicious alternative. Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill your dough before baking to help maintain their shape during cooking.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
Print
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cookies, featuring rich, velvety dough with a hint of cocoa. Topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, these vibrant treats promise to impress at any gathering. Perfectly soft and chewy, they evoke memories of celebrations and joyful baking moments. Whether for a holiday or a casual get-together, these cookies are sure to be the star of the dessert table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp red gel food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring; mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Gradually blend into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets; use your thumb to make an indention in each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool on wire racks.
- Once cool, fill the thumbprints with cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg





