Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies (Print-Friendly Version)

Try these festive red treats with cocoa goodness and smooth filling, perfect for Valentine's or holiday celebrations. The mix of buttermilk and cream cheese adds wonderful richness. Bookmark & tap.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 2 tablespoons red food coloring
10 - 1/2 cup buttermilk

→ For Rolling

11 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar

→ Cream Cheese Filling

12 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How to Make It:

01 - Mix the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl until they're fully combined.
02 - Beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer until it's light and fluffy, which takes around 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Drop in eggs one by one, mixing well after each one. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until your dough has an even red color throughout.
04 - Slowly add the dry mix into the butter mixture, switching back and forth with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything's combined and your batter shows a uniform red color.
05 - Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Put parchment paper on your baking sheets. Pour 1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling into a shallow dish.
06 - Grab rounded tablespoons of dough and form them into smooth balls. Roll each ball in the sugar dish until they're fully covered. Place them on your lined baking sheets, keeping them about 2 inches apart from each other.
07 - Pop the cookies in the oven for 10–12 minutes, until they're done but still slightly soft in the middle. Take them out and quickly make a dent in the center of each cookie using your thumb or a measuring spoon. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - While your cookies are cooling, mix the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup unsalted butter together until they're smooth. Add the sifted powdered sugar bit by bit, then stir in the vanilla extract until everything's nice and creamy.
09 - After the cookies have totally cooled down, drop or pipe some cream cheese filling into the dent you made in each cookie.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For the tastiest cookies, make sure your eggs and dairy products are at room temperature before you start mixing.

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