Fudgy Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies (Print version)

Soft cocoa thumbprint cookies filled with glossy chocolate cherry ganache, rich enough for cookie boxes but simple enough for a weekend bake.

# Ingredients:

For the chocolate cookies

01 - 1 1/2 cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
02 - 1/2 cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup (165 g) packed light brown sugar
07 - 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
08 - 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the cherry ganache

10 - 5 oz (140 g) semisweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
11 - 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
12 - 1/4 cup (85 g) smooth cherry preserves

# Instructions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until the cocoa is evenly blended. Set aside.
02 - Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla until lighter and smooth.
03 - Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed just until no dry streaks remain. The dough will be thick and soft.
04 - Scoop 1 tablespoon portions, roll into balls, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press a deep well into each ball with a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, then chill for 45 minutes.
05 - Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the chilled cookies for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set. Re-press the centers while hot, then cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a rack.
06 - Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until steaming and just bubbling at the edges, pour it over the chocolate, and let stand for 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then stir in cherry preserves.
07 - Spoon about 1 teaspoon ganache into each cooled cookie. Chill for 10-15 minutes, or let stand at cool room temperature until the ganache is softly set.

# Good to know:

01 - Makes about 32 small thumbprint cookies.
02 - Chilling the shaped dough helps the cookies stay thick.
03 - Nutrition is an estimate per cookie.

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