Divine Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Recipe

Indulgent red velvet thumbprint cookies with cream cheese bring a touch of sweet magic to any dessert table.

These delectable treats blend rich cocoa with a velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

The soft, crimson-hued cookies cradle a luscious cream cheese center that adds creamy decadence.

Each bite promises a delightful harmony of flavors and textures that dance across your palate.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet impressive recipe with ease.

The vibrant red color and elegant cream cheese filling make these cookies a showstopper at gatherings.

Prepare to delight everyone with these irresistible morsels that promise pure cookie bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 24

Gather These to Make Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese Happen

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base that provides rich, tangy flavor and smooth texture for the cookie center.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the filling, creating a silky smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor, bringing warmth and depth to the cream cheese mixture.

• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic addition that elevates the overall taste profile of the cookie.

Tools to Master Red Velvet Thumbprints

• Electric mixer: Perfect for whipping cream cheese filling to silky smoothness.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for combining cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.
• Piping bag or resealable plastic bag: Essential for creating precise cream cheese filling dollops.
• Baking sheet: Required for placing and baking cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing cream cheese filling.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly after baking.

How to Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies with Ease

• Whip Up Cream Cheese Filling

Blend cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. Get that mixture super creamy and dreamy.

• Craft Cookie Dough Base

Mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Crack in eggs and splash of vanilla. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

• Shape Delightful Cookies

Roll dough into small balls and place on lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or back of a spoon to create little wells in each cookie’s center.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into preheated oven and bake until edges look set and centers are slightly soft. Let them cool completely on baking rack.

• Pipe Creamy Filling

Grab that chilled cream cheese mixture from the fridge. Snip corner of piping bag and fill each cookie’s center with luxurious cream cheese goodness.

• Final Flourish

Dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra pizzazz. Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Creative Twists for Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

• Cream Cheese Chill Trick: Refrigerate the cream cheese filling for at least 30 minutes before piping to help it hold its shape and make decorating easier.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies friendly for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Twist: Substitute dairy cream cheese with plant-based cream cheese and use vegan butter to create a dairy-free version of these delightful thumbprint cookies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough and cream cheese filling up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator for stress-free baking when you're ready to serve.
• Decoration Play: Experiment with different colored cream cheese fillings by adding a drop of food coloring, or sprinkle crushed candy canes or chocolate chips on top for extra festive flair.

Serving Ideas to Showcase Red Velvet Cookies

• Sweet Valentine's Delight: Perfect for romantic dessert sharing with your special someone.
• Festive Party Centerpiece: Arrange cookies on a decorative platter for holiday gatherings or birthday celebrations.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Pair these cookies with hot tea or coffee for a delightful midday treat that adds a touch of sophistication to your break.
• Gift-Worthy Indulgence: Package cookies in a cute box with ribbon for a homemade present that shows thoughtful culinary love.

Save & Store Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies the Right Way

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. Refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent cream cheese filling from spoiling.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Frozen cookies stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare cookie dough and cream cheese filling separately up to 3 days in advance. Store dough in refrigerator and filling in sealed container. Assembly works best when ingredients are chilled.
• Temperature Tips: Always bring refrigerated cream cheese filling to slight room temperature before piping. Cold filling can crack or become lumpy when applied to cookies. Let sit for 15 minutes before decorating for smooth, creamy results.

Heavenly Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies With Cream Cheese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Red velvet thumbprint cookies with cream cheese bring classic Southern charm to holiday dessert tables. Rich cocoa-infused cookies cradle silky cream cheese filling, offering a delightful twist you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a silky, uniform mixture. Transfer to a piping bag and refrigerate until firm and chilled, ensuring a stable consistency for later filling.
2. Create Cookie Dough: Blend dry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Incorporate butter, sugar, eggs, and red food coloring to form a vibrant red velvet dough. Chill the mixture to enhance flavor development and prevent spreading during baking.
3. Shape and Indent Cookies: Roll chilled dough into uniform balls. Using a thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon, create gentle wells in each cookie’s center. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
4. Bake and Cool: Slide cookies into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and centers appear slightly soft. Remove and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet, ensuring the delicate structure remains intact.
5. Fill and Finish: Once cookies have cooled, pipe the chilled cream cheese filling into the center indentations. Use a steady hand to create elegant, even swirls. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for a final decorative touch.

Notes

• Control Cream Cheese Consistency: Whip cream cheese mixture at room temperature to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling that pipes effortlessly into cookie centers.
• Prevent Color Bleeding: Refrigerate filled cookies for at least 30 minutes to help stabilize the cream cheese and maintain the vibrant red velvet color without smudging.
• Master Thumbprint Technique: Create precise cookie indentations using the back of a measuring spoon or your thumb, ensuring uniform depth for even filling distribution.
• Dietary Adaptation: Substitute regular cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives and use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for various dietary restrictions while maintaining their rich, decadent flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 143
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 78 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg