Description
Heart-shaped chocolate thumbprint cookies are sweet, buttery treats with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich chocolate center. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a little love, these charming cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Filling
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Optional Decorations
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Extracts: Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using) to add depth and aroma to the cookie dough.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overwork the dough.
- Shape Dough: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create Heart Indentations: Use your thumb or two fingers to press a heart shape gently into the center of each cookie ball, reshaping the dough if necessary to maintain the shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden but the cookies remain soft in the center.
- Prepare Chocolate Filling: While the cookies cool, melt the chocolate chips with the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Fill Indentations: Spoon or pipe the melted chocolate filling into the heart-shaped indentations on each cookie.
- Set and Decorate: Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or chill briefly. Optionally, decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Notes
- For a flavored twist, add raspberry or caramel sauce underneath the chocolate filling before it sets.
- Cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week, maintaining freshness.
