Decadent Peanut Butter Thumbprint Delights
Indulge in these Decadent Peanut Butter Thumbprint Delights, where creamy peanut butter meets a lush chocolate filling, all encased in a crunchy peanut-coated cookie. These delightful treats are perfect for sharing at gatherings, parties, or simply enjoying at home. Each cookie boasts a rich flavor profile with a hint of sweetness, and the thumbs create a perfect pocket for the creamy, chocolatey center that will have everyone begging for more. Make them for the holidays, special occasions, or simply to treat yourself and loved ones!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
light brown sugar
2 cups (packed)
peanut butter
1.5 cups (creamy or crunchy, as preferred)
eggs
2 (large)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
all-purpose flour
2.5 cups (sifted)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (sifted)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (sifted)
unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1.75 cups (finely chopped)
cream cheese
1 (3 ounce) package (softened)
light corn syrup
3 tablespoons
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (pure)
semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (melted)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare ungreased cookie sheets.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, packed light brown sugar, and the peanut butter until the mixture is creamy and well blended.
3
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well until fully incorporated.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
5
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture, combining until a dough forms.
6
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, rolling each in the finely chopped dry roasted peanuts for an added crunch.
7
Place the dough balls on the cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are just set and lightly golden.
9
Remove the cookies from the oven, and gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie to create a thumbprint indentation. Allow them to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10
While the cookies cool, prepare the thumbprint filling. In a small mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
11
Slowly add the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips to the mixture, continuing to beat until incorporated.
12
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until you achieve a smooth filling.
13
Once the cookies are cooled, use a piping bag (or a small spoon) to fill each thumbprint with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate cream cheese filling.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Peanut Butter Thumbprint Delights?
They are cookies featuring a creamy peanut butter base, a crunchy peanut coating, and a lush chocolate cream cheese filling.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
No, you should use ungreased cookie sheets for this recipe.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the dough?
Yes, you can use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter depending on your preference.
What kind of sugar is used in the cookie dough?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of packed light brown sugar.
How many eggs are needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs.
What dry ingredients are sifted together?
You should sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
How large should the dough balls be?
The dough should be shaped into 1-inch balls.
What are the cookies rolled in before baking?
Each dough ball is rolled in finely chopped dry roasted peanuts for added crunch.
How far apart should I place the cookies on the sheet?
The cookies should be spaced about 2 inches apart.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until they are just set and lightly golden.
When do I make the thumbprint indentation?
Press your thumb into the center of each cookie immediately after removing them from the oven.
What ingredients are in the chocolate filling?
The filling includes cream cheese, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.
What size package of cream cheese is required?
You will need one 3-ounce package of softened cream cheese.
How do I prepare the chocolate for the filling?
The semi-sweet chocolate chips should be melted before being added to the cream cheese mixture.
How much filling goes into each cookie?
Fill each thumbprint with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate cream cheese filling.
What is the best way to fill the thumbprints?
You can use either a piping bag or a small spoon to fill the cookies.
Does the recipe use vanilla extract in more than one step?
Yes, vanilla extract is used in both the cookie dough and the chocolate filling.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The butter should be softened at room temperature before beating.
What kind of peanuts are used for the coating?
The recipe specifies unsalted dry roasted peanuts.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
They should be lightly golden and just set in the center.
Is light corn syrup necessary for the filling?
Yes, it is used to help achieve a smooth and well-blended filling consistency.
When should I transfer the cookies to a wire rack?
Allow them to cool on the sheet for a few minutes after making the indentation before moving them to a rack.
What type of chocolate chips are best for the filling?
The recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How much flour is used in the dough?
The dough requires 2.5 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Are these cookies good for parties?
Yes, they are described as perfect for gatherings, parties, and holiday celebrations.
Can I substitute the light brown sugar?
The recipe specifies light brown sugar for its specific flavor profile and texture.
Is the peanut coating optional?
The recipe includes it for crunch, though it is the primary texture element of the cookie exterior.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 14 distinct ingredients including the filling components.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
The instructions suggest preparing the filling while the cookies are cooling.