Strawberry chocolate thumbprint cookies are a delightful and elegant treat, combining buttery shortbread with a luscious strawberry filling and rich chocolate drizzle. Perfect for special occasions or as an indulgent snack, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A combination of classic flavors: buttery cookie, sweet strawberry, and decadent chocolate.
- Perfect for Valentine’s Day, holidays, or tea parties.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients.
- A show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress guests.
- Customizable with different fillings and toppings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Strawberry jam or preserves
- Semi-sweet or dark chocolate (melted)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
- Fill each indentation with a small amount of strawberry jam.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and let the chocolate set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Different fillings: Try raspberry, apricot, or cherry jam for variety.
- Nutty touch: Add finely chopped nuts to the dough or sprinkle on top.
- White chocolate drizzle: Use white chocolate instead of dark for a different flavor profile.
- Citrus zest: Mix lemon or orange zest into the dough for a bright, fruity twist.
- Vegan version: Use vegan butter and a flaxseed egg substitute to make these cookies vegan-friendly.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; thaw and fill before baking.
- Reheating: These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature and do not require reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of jam?
Yes, any fruit jam or preserve will work for this recipe.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for longer storage.
3. Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Not necessarily, but chilling can help prevent spreading if your kitchen is warm.
4. Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, milk chocolate is a great alternative for a sweeter drizzle.
5. How do I prevent the jam from spreading during baking?
Use a thick jam or preserves and avoid overfilling the indentations.
6. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
7. What’s the best way to melt chocolate for drizzling?
Melt chocolate in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring each time, or use a double boiler.
8. Can I use a piping bag for the chocolate drizzle?
Yes, a piping bag or a small plastic bag with a snipped corner works perfectly.
9. Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
Absolutely! Package them in decorative boxes or tins for a thoughtful gift.
10. Can kids help make these cookies?
Yes, kids can have fun rolling the dough, making indentations, and drizzling chocolate.
Conclusion
Strawberry chocolate thumbprint cookies are a timeless treat, offering a perfect blend of buttery, fruity, and chocolatey flavors. Their elegant appearance makes them ideal for special occasions or thoughtful gifts. Try this recipe and enjoy baking (and eating!) these irresistible cookies!
Print
Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These irresistible Strawberry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies feature a soft, buttery cookie base, a sweet strawberry jam filling, and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, or as an indulgent treat!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Filling and Topping:
- 1/3 cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until firm enough to handle.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to press an indentation into the center of each cookie.
- Fill and Bake:
- Fill each indentation with a small amount of strawberry jam (about ½ teaspoon).
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the Chocolate Drizzle:
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Let the chocolate set before serving.
Notes
- For a more festive look, sprinkle heart-shaped sprinkles over the chocolate drizzle before it sets.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- You can swap strawberry jam with raspberry, apricot, or your favorite flavor.