Perfect Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Recipe

Sweet, buttery cookies with a vibrant red velvet thumbprint cookie recipe draw cookie lovers into a world of decadent delights.

Rich crimson dough swirls with classic Southern charm, promising a treat that melts in your mouth.

Soft, crumbly edges give way to a luscious cream cheese center that adds creamy sophistication.

These elegant cookies bring a touch of glamour to any dessert spread with their stunning deep red hue.

Delicate and indulgent, they transform an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender cookie and silky filling that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible dessert that turns simple ingredients into pure magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese Ingredients

• Cream Cheese: Adds luxurious tang and creamy texture to the cookie center, selecting full-fat variety ensures rich flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the filling, choose fine-ground sugar for smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes, opt for pure vanilla for best results.

• Piping Bag: Creates neat, professional filling application, silicone bags work great for easy cleanup.
• Resealable Plastic Bag: Perfect budget-friendly alternative to traditional piping bags, allows precise filling placement.

• Refrigeration: Chilling the filling helps maintain structure and makes piping easier, keeps cream cheese mixture firm and manageable.

Tools To Make Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese

• Electric mixer: Essential for beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until silky smooth.
• Piping bag or resealable plastic bag: Perfect for creating neat, precise filling for thumbprint cookies.
• Small mixing bowl: Ideal for preparing the creamy cream cheese filling.
• Sharp knife or scissors: Useful for snipping the tip of the bag for piping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring ingredients.

How To Fill Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese

• Cookie Base

Mix flour, cocoa powder, and a dash of salt in a mixing bowl. These dry ingredients create the foundation for rich, velvety cookies that will melt in your mouth.

• Butter Blend

Cream together softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step ensures a soft, tender cookie texture that’s irresistible.

• Color Magic

Add red food coloring to transform the dough into a vibrant crimson shade. Gently fold until the color spreads evenly, creating that classic red velvet charm.

• Dough Formation

Chill the dough for about 30 minutes. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents spreading during baking.

• Thumbprint Creation

Roll dough into small balls and press a gentle indent in the center of each cookie. This pocket will cradle the creamy filling perfectly.

• Cream Cheese Filling

Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. The filling should be light and delicate.

• Filling and Finishing

Pipe the cream cheese mixture into the center of each cookie. Bake until edges are slightly crisp and centers are soft.

• Cooling and Serving

Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack. The filling will set and create a delightful contrast with the rich red velvet cookie base.

Additions For Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese

• Soft Cookie Secret: Ensure your butter is at room temperature for the smoothest, most tender cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Piping Pro Tip: When filling the thumbprint centers, use a small round piping tip or zip-top bag with corner snipped for precise, neat cream cheese dollops that look professionally made.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These cookies can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container, with cream cheese filling added just before serving to maintain the perfect consistency.
• Dietary Twist: For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delightful red velvet treats.
• Flavor Boost: Enhance the cream cheese filling by adding a tiny pinch of orange zest or a drop of almond extract for an unexpected and delicious flavor dimension that elevates the classic recipe.

Serving Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese For Holidays

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these vibrant red velvet thumbprint cookies on a festive platter, creating a stunning centerpiece that catches everyone's eye at gatherings or holiday events.
• Sweet Date Night Dessert: Pair these elegant cookies with a glass of champagne or red wine for a romantic dessert experience that's perfect for an intimate evening at home.
• Coffee Shop Companion: Serve these delightful cookies alongside a rich espresso or creamy latte for a delectable mid-afternoon treat that elevates your coffee break into a gourmet moment.
• Gift-Worthy Delicacy: Package these beautiful cookies in a clear gift box with a ribbon, making them an impressive homemade present for friends, neighbors, or special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

How To Store Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the cream cheese filling for at least 30 minutes before piping to help it firm up and maintain a perfect shape when added to the cookies.
• Filling Freshness Technique: Store the cream cheese mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before using, allowing you to prep ahead of time.
• Cookie Storage Solution: Keep these red velvet thumbprint cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Friendly Method: Wrap the baked and filled cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.

Decadent Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful red velvet thumbprint cookies with cream cheese offer a perfect blend of rich cocoa and tangy filling. Classic Southern charm meets sweet indulgence, beckoning you to savor each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsps (15 g) cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp red gel food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (50 g) powdered sugar (for rolling, optional)
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Filling Preparation: Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until achieving a velvety, lump-free mixture that’s smooth and consistent.
2. Filling Storage: Transfer the creamy blend into a piping bag or sturdy resealable plastic bag, creating a small corner cut for precise filling distribution, then refrigerate to stabilize the texture and maintain structural integrity.
3. Cookie Dough Mixing: Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl, then cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, gradually incorporating eggs and red food coloring to create a vibrant, rich dough.
4. Shaping Cookies: Roll chilled dough into uniform balls, arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, and gently create thumb indentations in each cookie’s center using the back of a teaspoon or your thumb.
5. Baking Process: Slide cookies into a preheated 350°F oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges appear set and centers remain slightly soft, allowing cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet.
6. Final Assembly: Once cookies have reached room temperature, pipe the chilled cream cheese filling into the center indentations, creating elegant, swirled peaks that complement the rich red velvet base.
7. Serving Suggestion: Dust with optional powdered sugar or refrigerate to help filling set, ensuring a delightful texture and presentation for these decadent thumbprint cookies.

Notes

• Chill Cream Cheese Filling: Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to achieve optimal piping consistency and prevent runny texture.
• Control Color Intensity: Adjust red food coloring amount carefully to maintain vibrant red velvet appearance without artificial taste.
• Prevent Spreading Cookies: Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Create Perfect Thumbprints: Use the back of a small measuring spoon or your thumb to create uniform and consistent indentations in cookie centers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg