Fudgy chocolate thumbprint cookies filled with a luscious chocolate-cherry ganache, offering a delightful blend of rich cocoa and sweet cherry flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Luxurious Flavor Combination: The rich cocoa and sweet-tart cherry ganache create a heavenly taste experience.
- Festive and Elegant: Perfect for holiday platters, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion.
- Chewy and Fudgy: These cookies have a perfect soft texture that melts in your mouth.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the filling or add decorative toppings to make them your own.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the dough or even bake the cookies in advance for easy assembly later.
Ingredients
1½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
½ cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
5 ounces (140 g) dark chocolate, chopped
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
¼ cup (85 g) cherry preserves
Directions
Prepare the Dough
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Shape and Chill
- Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to portion the dough into 32 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
- Immediately after shaping each ball, use a ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon to create an indentation in the center.
- Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
Bake the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Arrange the chilled dough balls on the baking sheets, spacing them about 1½ inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set.
- Remove from the oven and gently re-press the indentations with the ¼ teaspoon if needed.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Chocolate-Cherry Ganache
- Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil, then pour it over the chocolate.
- Let the mixture sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Stir in the cherry preserves until the ganache is homogeneous.
Assemble the Cookies
- Fill each cooled cookie’s indentation with approximately 1 teaspoon of the chocolate-cherry ganache.
- Optionally, chill the filled cookies in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to allow the ganache to set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 32 cookies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Variations
- Nutty Addition: Sprinkle finely chopped nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, on the ganache for added texture.
- Cherry Liqueur Twist: Add a teaspoon of cherry liqueur to the ganache for a sophisticated flavor.
- White Chocolate Ganache: Swap dark chocolate for white chocolate for a sweeter option.
- Jam Alternative: Replace cherry preserves with raspberry, apricot, or blackberry jam.
- Dusting of Powdered Sugar: For a festive touch, lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Refrigerate for up to 7 days to keep the ganache fresh.
- Freezing: Freeze unfilled cookies for up to 3 months. Add ganache after thawing and cooling.
- Reheating: These cookies are best served at room temperature; no reheating is necessary.
FAQs
Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Yes, but the cookies may have a slightly less intense chocolate flavor.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
How do I ensure the ganache sets properly?
Chill the filled cookies briefly in the refrigerator to help the ganache firm up.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, though the ganache will be sweeter with milk chocolate.
What’s the best way to measure flour accurately?
Spoon and level the flour into your measuring cup to avoid packing too much.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling is crucial to maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
How do I prevent the jam from making the ganache runny?
Ensure the cherry preserves are stirred thoroughly into the ganache for even consistency.
Can I double this recipe?
Certainly! Just double the ingredients and bake in batches.
Can I add a decorative topping?
Yes, try edible glitter, chopped dried cherries, or a drizzle of white chocolate.
How do I keep cookies fresh longer?
Store them in a tightly sealed container to prevent them from drying out.
Conclusion
Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a decadent fusion of rich cocoa and sweet cherry flavors, perfect for any occasion. These fudgy thumbprint cookies with their velvety ganache centers are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether for a holiday treat or an indulgent everyday dessert, these cookies are sure to impress. Happy baking!