Red Velvet Thumbprints
These fun, festive, and easy-to-make Red Velvet Thumbprints are perfect cookies for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. The vibrant red color is perfect, and they’re darn tasty, too!
This festive Thumbprint Cookie Recipe is easier than you think! Just roll out balls of dough, bake, and then press a Hershey’s Kiss into the middle of each cookie while they’re still warm. Super simple!
Why You Must Make
- Red velvet just shouts Valentine’s Day.
- Each cookie provides both a cookie and a candy fix!
- Their smaller size makes them a less guilty pleasure than a full-sized cookie or slice of red velvet cake.
My daughter is a big fan of red velvet desserts (she requested this Red Velvet Checkerboard Cake for her birthday!), but the hubby, well, not so much. The token amount of cocoa power doesn’t result in the ooey, gooey chocolate treats that he’d prefer.
But, despite his persnickety palate, he loved these cookies. Who wouldn’t be a fan of these buttery sugar cookies with a mega-dose of red food coloring and that bit of cocoa topped with either a white chocolate wafer or a white chocolate Hug??? They were a hit!
How to Make
There are a few different techniques. With my Peanut Blossoms, I press the unwrapped candies into the hot, almost fully baked cookies, then return the pan of cookies to the oven for a few more minutes of cooking. This recipe has the candies added after they’re finished baking, but still hot and pliable. Here is the procedure for these thumbprint cookies:
- Make the cookie dough.
- Roll out pieces of dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing accordingly.
- Press your thumb into the middle of the ball of dough, about halfway down.
- Bake the cookies as directed.
- Immediately out of the oven, place a White Chocolate Wafer or a Hug (affiliate links) in the center of each cookie.
- Remove them from the cookie sheet. Let the cookies cool completely on a rack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Originally, red velvet cakes turned red when the cocoa powder reacted with the acid in the vinegar and buttermilk, and took on a red tint. Today, most red velvet recipes use a lot of red food coloring to obtain the deep red color.
Thumbprint cookies have their origin in Sweden. Called Hallongrotta, which means raspberry cave, they are typically simple shortbread cookies filled with raspberry jam. Numerous variations have developed through the years.
Store these at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container, like a freezer-quality Ziplock bag or Rubbermaid/Tupperware container.
You May Also Like:
I hope you’ll try these Hershey Kiss Thumbprint Cookies! Any variety of Hershey’s Kisses or Hugs will work in this recipe, so you can shake them up depending on your mood. Plus, I have lots more red velvet recipes on the blog.
- Red Velvet Cake from I Am Baker
- Red Velvet Hot Chocolate from Southern Plate
- Favorite Red Velvet Recipes
- Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Icing
- 30+ Valentine’s Day Recipes
- Plus, More of my Best Cookie Recipes
Red Velvet Thumbprints
Red velvet thumbprint cookies filled with white chocolate or topped with a white chocolate Hershey's Hug. Adapted from The Pinterest Kitchen via BettyCrocker.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 teaspoons red food coloring
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 42 Hershey's Hugs or White Chocolate Melting Wafers
Instructions
- Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the egg, food coloring, and vanilla.
- Add the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda to the mixture and blend together.
- Roll out pieces of dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave room for them to spread out.
- Press your thumb into the middle of the ball of dough, about halfway down.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes at 350º.
- Immediately out of the oven, place a white chocolate wafer or a Hug in the center of each cookie, then remove them from the cookie sheet. Let cool completely.
Notes
Red velvet thumbprint cookies filled with white chocolate or topped with a white chocolate Hershey's Hug. Adapted from The Pinterest Kitchen via BettyCrocker.com
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
42Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 322Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 4g
31 Comments on “Red Velvet Thumbprints”
Red velvet thumbprints are not only cute to look at but also taste amazing; my kiddos have become fans of it.
These are gonna look beautiful on my cookie trays this year! I love red velvet.
Red Velvet is a fabulous cookie flavor! We love these so much!
OMG what a treat! This is such a simple recipe that I think even I can make it. Even though I feel like it’s out of season, it looks so good and is something I can whip up in a short period of time. Thanks for sharing!
I think you just might be the Red Velvet Queen Liz! And I’m sure there are plenty of takers of these lovely treats even if everyone in the family isn’t super fond of them. I can’t stop staring at that checkerboard cake – so pretty!
One of my favorite flavors that I haven’t had enough of. The Kindle would be very nice to have, great giveaway.
Such a wonderful idea. Nothing can beat cookies, and love the idea of fund raising <3
How pretty, Liz, and perfect for Valentine’s Day!! Have a good one! 🙂
These are so cute, Liz and perfect for Valentines Day. I don’t think we can get those chocolates you’ve put in the centre of the cookies but I’m sure I can find an adequate replacement. I love the colour! xx
Gorgeous treats, great cause and if it’s approved by your Valentine – we know the cookies are extra delicious!
These thumbprints look so delightful and cute ♥
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