Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe - Delicious and Preservative-free!

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 1 hour | Cooking time: 10-12 minutes | Servings: 26 cookies

Introduction

Chocolate thumbprint cookies are a delicious and indulgent treat that are perfect for any occasion. These cookies are a classic favorite for chocolate lovers, with a rich cocoa flavor and a sweet vanilla filling. The combination of crunchy nuts, creamy filling, and a sweet chocolate center make these cookies a crowd-pleaser.

History

Thumbprint cookies have been a popular dessert for many years, with variations found in different cultures around the world. The concept of pressing a thumbprint into a cookie and filling it with a sweet center has been a favorite among bakers for generations. The addition of chocolate and nuts to the traditional thumbprint cookie recipe adds a rich and decadent twist to this classic treat.

Ingredients

0.5 cup (1 stick) softened butter or margarine
0.67 cup sugar
1 egg, separated
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
0.33 cup Hershey's cocoa
0.25 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts
26 Hershey's Kisses chocolates, Hershey's Hugs chocolates or pecan halves or candied cherry halves

Vanilla filling

0.5 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp softened butter or margarine
2 tsp milk
0.25 tsp vanilla extract

How to prepare

In a medium bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Stir together flour, Hershey's cocoa, and salt; gradually add to the butter mixture, beating until blended.
Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
Shape the dough into 1 inch balls.
Using a fork, lightly beat the egg white.
Dip each ball into the egg white, then roll in nuts.
Place the coated balls on the prepared cookie sheet.
Gently press your thumb in the center of each cookie.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until set.
Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla filling.
Remove the wrappers from the Hershey's Kisses chocolates.
Transfer the cookies from the cookie sheet to a wire rack and let them cool for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, spoon about 0.25 tsp of the vanilla filling into each thumbprint.
Gently press a chocolate, nut, or cherry into the center of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool completely.

Vanilla filling

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, softened butter or margarine, milk, and vanilla extract.
Beat the mixture until smooth.

Variations

Omit the egg white and chopped nuts.
Roll the balls in granulated sugar.
Try using different types of nuts, such as almonds or pecans, for a unique flavor.
Experiment with different fillings, such as raspberry jam or caramel, for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a sweet and salty flavor combination.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to refrigerate the dough before shaping it into balls to make it easier to handle.

- Use a fork to beat the egg white for coating the cookies for a light and even layer.

- Press your thumb gently into the center of each cookie to create a well for the filling.

- Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding the vanilla filling and chocolate center to prevent melting.

- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chocolate thumbprint cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee for a delicious snack or dessert.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to refrigerate the dough before shaping it into balls to make it easier to handle.

- Use a fork to beat the egg white for a light and even coating on the cookies.

- Press your thumb gently into the center of each cookie to create a well for the filling.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use butter instead of margarine in this recipe for a richer flavor.

- If you don't have Hershey's Kisses, you can use any type of chocolate candy or chocolate chips for the center of the cookies.

- Feel free to use any type of nuts you prefer, such as walnuts or hazelnuts, in place of the chopped nuts called for in the recipe.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dough for chocolate thumbprint cookies ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the chocolate thumbprint cookies on a decorative platter and sprinkle with powdered sugar for a festive touch. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for an extra decadent finish.

Pairing Recommendations

Chocolate thumbprint cookies pair well with a variety of beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also go well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store chocolate thumbprint cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for a few minutes until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of chocolate thumbprint cookies contains approximately 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of chocolate thumbprint cookies contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of chocolate thumbprint cookies contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of chocolate thumbprint cookies contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Chocolate thumbprint cookies are not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

Chocolate thumbprint cookies contain nuts and dairy (butter), which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Chocolate thumbprint cookies are a sweet and indulgent treat that are relatively high in carbohydrates and fats. They are best enjoyed in moderation as a special treat.

Summary

Chocolate thumbprint cookies are a delicious and indulgent treat that are perfect for any occasion. With a rich cocoa flavor, sweet vanilla filling, and a chocolate center, these cookies are sure to be a hit with chocolate lovers. Enjoy them as a snack or dessert, and experiment with different variations to make them your own.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was captivated by its simplicity. It was a rainy day in the small town where I grew up, and I had just popped into the local bakery to pick up a loaf of bread. As I waited in line, a little old lady standing in front of me struck up a conversation. We chatted about the weather and the latest gossip in town, and before I knew it, she was handing me a slip of paper with a recipe scribbled on it.

"Here, dear," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "You look like someone who enjoys a good cookie."

I took the slip of paper from her hand and read the recipe for Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. It was a simple recipe, calling for just a few basic ingredients that I already had in my pantry. I thanked the old lady and tucked the recipe into my purse, thinking I would give it a try when I got home.

That evening, as I stood in my kitchen mixing together the ingredients for the cookies, I couldn't help but think of the old lady from the bakery. I wondered where she had learned the recipe, and why she had chosen to share it with me. As the cookies baked in the oven, filling the house with the warm, chocolatey scent, I felt a sense of connection to the woman who had passed the recipe on to me.

When the cookies were finally done, I pulled them out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Then, I carefully pressed my thumb into the center of each one, creating a little well for the chocolate filling. As I worked, I thought about all the hands that had touched this recipe before mine – the old lady from the bakery, and whoever had given it to her, and so on, back through the generations.

When the cookies were finished, I sat down at the kitchen table with a glass of milk and a plate of warm, gooey Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. As I took a bite, I was transported back to my childhood, when my own grandmother would bake cookies for me and my siblings. The taste of chocolate and butter and sugar was like a hug from the past, filling me with warmth and comfort.

From that day on, Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies became a staple in my baking repertoire. I would make them for family gatherings, for bake sales at church, and just for myself on a rainy day when I needed a little pick-me-up. Each time I made them, I thought of the old lady from the bakery and the connection we shared through this simple recipe.

Years passed, and I continued to make Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, tweaking the recipe here and there to suit my own tastes. I added a sprinkle of sea salt to the chocolate filling for a touch of savory contrast, and I experimented with different types of chocolate to find the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.

One day, as I was baking a batch of cookies for my grandkids, my daughter-in-law asked me where I had learned to make Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies. I told her the story of the old lady from the bakery, and she was fascinated by the idea of passing recipes down through generations.

"That's such a beautiful tradition," she said, as she popped a cookie into her mouth. "I wish I had recipes like that from my own family."

I thought about her words as I watched my grandkids devour the cookies, their faces smeared with chocolate and their fingers sticky with crumbs. I realized that I had a responsibility to pass this recipe on to them, to ensure that the tradition of Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies lived on in our family.

So, I wrote down the recipe on a piece of paper and tucked it into my daughter-in-law's hand. "Here," I said with a smile. "Now you can make them for your own kids someday."

As I watched her read the recipe and tuck it into her purse, I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. I knew that this simple recipe, passed down through generations and shared with strangers in a bakery, would continue to bring joy and connection to my family for years to come.

And so, as I sat in my kitchen that evening, sipping a cup of tea and nibbling on a Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie, I felt grateful for the old lady from the bakery who had shared this recipe with me. I felt grateful for the connection it had brought me to my own past and to my family. And most of all, I felt grateful for the simple, enduring pleasure of a warm, gooey cookie on a rainy day.