Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

Red velvet thumbprint cookies are the perfect tender, buttery cookie with a hint of chocolate filled with a cheesecake filling. They are the perfect blend of red velvet flavors in a delicious cookie form!

If you love red velvet cake you are going to love these cookies. Instead of a cake with cream cheese frosting these soft red velvet thumbprint cookies are filled with a cheesecake filling that compliments the chocolatey red velvet flavor beautifully. They are perfect for the Christmas holidays, for Valentine’s day or for any time that you’re craving the delicious flavor of red velvet!

• Other Red Velvet Desserts You’ll Love
• Red Velvet Fudge This red velvet fudge has a thick fudgy layer topped with a cream cheese frosting fudge layer! 
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies These red velvet crinkle cookies are soft and fudgy, with the amazing classic taste of red velvet cake but in cookies! 
• Red Velvet Brownies Soft, chewy, sweet and vibrant these red velvet brownies are amazing! They are topped with cream cheese frosting to add the perfect finishing touch! 
• Red Velvet Rice Krispie Treats Red velvet rice krispie treats are the perfect combination of delicious no-bake cereal treats and rich red velvet cake!

TIPS & FAQ

Use gel food coloring-

To create the vibrant red color of these red velvet cheesecake cookies you’ll want to be sure to use the right red food coloring. Too much food coloring can cause baked goods to be bitter so using a gel food coloring is a must. The gel food coloring is more concentrated so you need less and you can achieve the color without effecting the flavor.

How to store these cookies-

These delicious red velvet cookies are best stored in an airtight container in a single layer. If you are layering them for storage or giving as a gift place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between the layers.

Ingredients for these Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

For the Cookie

1 Cup Butter (softened)

½ Cup Brown Sugar

1 Egg Yolk

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

2 tsp Cocoa Powder

¼ tsp Salt

Red Gel Food Coloring

Red Sanding Sugar

For the Filling-

4 oz Cream Cheese (softened)

¼ Cup Sugar

1/8 tsp Salt

1 Egg Yolk

2 tsp Sour Cream

¼ tsp Vanilla

Here’s how to make these cookies-

To make the filling-

The first thing you’ll want to do is make the filling. In a medium size bowl with an electric mix together cream cheese, and sugar until well blended. Add in salt, vanilla, egg yolk and sour cream, continue mixing until everything is evenly mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

To make the cookies-

Pre heat oven to 350 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder and salt, mix until well incorporated.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream together butter and sugar.

Add in egg yolk and vanilla and continue mixing until well incorporated.

Add the flour mixture in gradually, scraping the sides of the bowl and mixing after each addition, until it is all added and a soft dough forms.

Add in about 1/8 tsp of red gel food coloring and continue mixing until it the color is evenly distributed. Add a little bit more food coloring if a deeper color is desired.

Place red sanding sugar in a shallow dish or small bowl.

Scoop out cookie dough in tablespoon size scoops and roll into balls.

Roll dough balls in the sanding sugar to evenly coat them.

Place on the prepared baking sheet.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, your finger, or another small round object press a hole in the center of each ball.

Bake cookies for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven, gently press in the center of each cookie again and fill with the cream cheese filling.

Place back in the oven and bake 10-12 minutes or until the filling is set.

Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool cookies completely .

Store in an airtight container.