Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

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Soft, buttery, and beautifully vibrant, Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies bring together classic red velvet flavor and a smooth, tangy cream cheese center. These cookies are festive enough for holidays yet simple enough to bake any time you’re craving something special. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and eye-catching color, they’re guaranteed to impress at parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy family gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 4 teaspoons red food coloring
• ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions for Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

1. Prepare the Oven

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper

2. Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and cocoa powder.
4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture.
5. Add red food coloring and mix until evenly colored.

3. Shape the Cookies

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls
• Coat each ball in granulated sugar
• Place on baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart
• Press a gentle indentation in the center of each cookie

4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

• Beat cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth and creamy

5. Fill and Bake

• Spoon filling into each thumbprint
• Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are set
• Avoid overbaking for the creamiest center

6. Cool

• Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

Pro Tips

• Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth mixing
• Gel food coloring gives the best vibrant color
• Chill dough briefly if it feels too soft
• Don’t overfill to prevent spreading

Why This Recipe Works

• Perfect balance of cocoa flavor and sweetness
• Cream cheese filling adds a cheesecake-like contrast
• Soft texture with lightly crisp edges
• Visually stunning for festive occasions

Substitutions & Variations

• Swap cream cheese filling with raspberry jam
• Add mini chocolate chips to the dough
• Use natural food coloring if preferred
• Try orange or mint extract for seasonal twists

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guide

• Dough can be refrigerated up to 24 hours
• Store baked cookies in the fridge for 5 days
• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months
• Thaw at room temperature before serving

Serving Ideas for Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

• Serve with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
• Add to holiday cookie platters
• Gift in decorative tins
• Drizzle with white or dark chocolate

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Fiber: 0.3g
• Sodium: 65mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared a day in advance.

Can these cookies be frozen?

Absolutely. Freeze baked cookies for up to two months.

What food coloring works best?

Gel food coloring provides the richest red color.

Can I skip the cream cheese filling?

Yes, jam or chocolate spread works well too.

Why did my cookies crack?

Over-pressing the dough or dry dough can cause cracking.

These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are soft, festive, and irresistibly delicious. With their rich flavor and creamy centers, they’re the kind of dessert that disappears fast—so you might want to make a double batch.

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Ovalioekrg

Soft, buttery Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies feature a vibrant red hue, delicate cocoa flavor, and a rich, tangy cream cheese center. Perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, or special occasions, these cookies combine visual appeal with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 120 kcal

Equipment

• baking sheets
• parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• wire cooling rack

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 4 tsp red food coloring
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg yolk (for filling)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa powder.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then mix in the red food coloring until evenly colored.
• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, coat in granulated sugar, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press a gentle indentation into the center of each.
• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
• Spoon the filling into each cookie center.
• Bake for 12–14 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
• Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients for best results. Gel food coloring provides the most vibrant color. Chill the dough briefly if too soft to handle, and avoid overfilling the centers to prevent spreading. Store cookies chilled due to the cream cheese filling.

Keyword cream cheese thumbprint cookies, festive desserts, holiday cookies, red velvet cookies, red velvet thumbprint cookies

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