Chocolate Cherry Bliss Thumbprint Cookies
Indulge in the rich, nostalgic flavors of my childhood with these delightful Chocolate Cherry Bliss Thumbprint Cookies. A unique twist on the classic thumbprint cookie, these treats combine the rich, velvety taste of cocoa with the sweet tartness of maraschino cherries. Perfectly festive, they make a stunning addition to any holiday cookie platter. With a luscious chocolate frosting that envelops each cherry, these cookies are sure to impress both friends and family during the Christmas season and beyond. Get ready to savor every bite of this delicious homage to flavors that warm the heart!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 1/2 cups (all-purpose flour, sifted)
cocoa powder
1/2 cup (unsweetened cocoa powder)
baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (baking powder)
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (baking soda)
butter
1/2 cup (unsalted butter, softened)
sugar
1 cup (granulated sugar)
egg
1 (large egg, beaten)
vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (pure vanilla extract)
maraschino cherries
48 (drained, reserve juice)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup (semi-sweet chocolate chips)
sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup (sweetened condensed milk, such as Eagle Brand)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3
Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and continue beating until the mixture is well combined.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda.
5
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, combining until a soft dough is formed.
6
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7
Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each ball. Make sure not to press all the way through.
8
Gently place a maraschino cherry in each thumbprint, allowing the juice to drizzle around the cookie.
9
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, stirring until smooth.
10
Stir in 4 teaspoons of reserved cherry juice until well mixed. Adjust the consistency with more juice if necessary.
11
Using a spoon, generously dollop about 1 teaspoon of the chocolate frosting over each cherry, fully covering it.
12
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to firm up. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chocolate Cherry Bliss Thumbprint Cookies?
They are a unique twist on classic thumbprint cookies that combine rich cocoa with the sweet tartness of maraschino cherries, finished with a luscious chocolate frosting.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How should I prepare the butter and sugar?
Cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
When do I add the egg and vanilla?
Add the large beaten egg and pure vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture and beat until well combined.
What dry ingredients are needed for this recipe?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
Should I mix the dry ingredients separately?
Yes, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients.
How do I combine the dry and wet ingredients?
Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, combining until a soft dough is formed.
What size should the dough balls be?
Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls.
How should I space the cookies on the baking sheet?
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
How do I create the thumbprint indentation?
Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each dough ball, being careful not to press all the way through to the bottom.
When do I add the maraschino cherries?
Gently place a maraschino cherry into each thumbprint indentation before the cookies are baked.
Should I drain the maraschino cherries?
Yes, drain the 48 cherries but be sure to reserve the juice for the frosting.
What ingredients are used for the chocolate frosting?
The frosting is made from 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, and reserved cherry juice.
How do I prepare the frosting?
Melt the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
How much cherry juice goes into the frosting?
Stir in 4 teaspoons of reserved cherry juice, and add more if needed to reach your desired consistency.
How do I apply the frosting to the cookies?
Using a spoon, dollop about 1 teaspoon of the frosting over each cherry to fully cover it.
How long do these cookies bake?
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when the edges start to firm up.
What is the best way to cool the cookies?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before you serve them.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Based on the requirement of 48 maraschino cherries, the recipe makes approximately 48 cookies.
What type of cocoa powder should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Is the baking sheet greased?
No, the dough balls should be placed on an ungreased baking sheet.
What kind of flour is best?
The recipe recommends using 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour that has been sifted.
Can I use any brand of sweetened condensed milk?
Yes, any brand works, though Eagle Brand is suggested as a common option.
Does the cherry juice go inside the cookie?
The cherry juice is primarily used in the frosting and can also be allowed to drizzle slightly around the cherry in the indentation.
Are these cookies suitable for holidays?
Yes, they are described as a stunning addition to Christmas or holiday cookie platters.
What is the texture of the cookie dough?
The dough should be soft enough to be shaped into 1-inch balls.
What kind of vanilla extract should I use?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as a kid-friendly and family-friendly recipe.
What makes the frosting unique?
The addition of reserved maraschino cherry juice gives the chocolate frosting a unique flavor and color.