Description
Delight in these charming Heart-Shaped Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, combining rich cocoa-flavored shortbread with a luscious fruit jam center. Perfect for gifting or festive occasions, these cookies are tender, buttery, and elegantly decorated with an optional drizzle of melted chocolate. They offer a delightful balance of chocolate and fruity sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
Filling and Garnish
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam or your favorite fruit jam (strawberry, apricot, etc.)
- Optional: Melted chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and cocoa.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, indicating enough air has been incorporated. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, beating until fully combined. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Place dough balls onto a prepared baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press an indent into the center of each dough ball to create a thumbprint. Carefully reshape the dough around the indent into a heart shape, ensuring that the shape holds.
- Bake the Cookies: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 12-15 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Fill the Thumbprint: Once the cookies have cooled, spoon raspberry jam or your chosen fruit jam into the thumbprint indent in each cookie, filling it generously but without overflow.
- Optional Decoration: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it artistically over the cookies to add extra sweetness and a decorative touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the cookies on a serving platter and enjoy the perfect balance of chocolate and fruity jam in these charming heart-shaped treats.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a soft cookie texture.
- You can substitute raspberry jam with any fruit jam of your choice like strawberry or apricot.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with your favorite plant-based milk and use dairy-free butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
