Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
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Soft, chewy chocolate thumbprint cookies with cherry pie filling in the middle that are drizzled in chocolate. These delicious Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect sweet treat and make an amazing Christmas cookie that freezer great!
These chocolate cherry thumbprint cookies are to-die-for amazing cookies that combine two of my favorite things! They remind me of my favorite chocolate-covered cherries, but in cookie form. They really are so yummy!
Each soft chocolate cookie has a cherry pie filling and is topped with a chocolate drizzle. They are always a favorite Christmas cookie at our house, but I make them for Valentine’s day, too, because the color is perfect for that holiday, too.
You Will Love This Easy Recipe
- I love that they look fancy but they’re so easy to make! The chocolate cookie is soft and chocolatey and I use canned cherry pie filling for the filling.
- You don’t have to chill the dough before you bake the cookies, so there’s no waiting time!
- For the drizzle, I use melted chocolate almond bark. It melts like a dream and adds the perfect finishing touch.
I just love thumbprint cookies and these cherry thumbprints are a must-make. After you try them be sure to try my red velvet thumbprints and chocolate mint fudge thumbprints holiday cookies, too!
Ingredients
- Butter – remember to leave it out at room temperature to soften!
- White sugar – this gives the cookies a lightly crispy texture around the edges.
- Large eggs – leave them out at room temperature before you make the cookies. They mix easier that way.
- Vanilla extract – you could also use almond extract for a different flavor.
- All-purpose flour – the spoon and level method is the best way to measure it!
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt – if you use unsalted butter be sure to add a few extra pinches of salt.
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Cherry pie filling – we’re using canned pie filling to make it really easy!
- Chocolate Almond Bark – or use chocolate melting wafers.
How to Make Them
Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl (or in a stand mixer) until the mixture is light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at time.
Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Mix in the cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour. Mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Scoop and roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Use your thumb to make an indent in the center of each dough ball. Place two cherries in each indent.
Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes and then cool them on the cookie sheet for two minutes. Transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Melt the almond bark following the package instructions. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies. Once the chocolate has set, they’re ready to serve or you can store them in an airtight container.
Yes, you can make it a day ahead and refrigerate it. Allow it to warm up at room temperature before you form the balls.
You can use jam or make chocolate thumbprints with a chocolate filling. If you use those, wait to add the filling until after the cookies are baked. You can also use other fruit pie fillings that go with chocolate.
I recommend using chocolate almond bark or chocolate wafer melts because they melt better and have a better consistency for drizzling.
Yes, white chocolate almond bark would work great if you want to switch it up!
If you love chocolate and cherries, this easy thumbprint cookie recipe is for you! They’re so pretty on a cookie platter and the flavor is amazing. Enjoy!
More Great Cookie Recipes
- Soft and delicious Almond Cherry Cookies are glazed with cherry frosting with a maraschino cherry baked in the middle!
- If you love chocolate chip cookies, you have to try my amazing Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie!
- Peppermint Macaroons are red and green chewy coconut cookies that are perfect for the holidays.
- Mexican Wedding Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth nutty cookies made with pecans and dusted with powdered sugar.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling
- 2 ounces Chocolate Almond Bark or chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add cocoa, salt, baking soda, baking powder and flour. Mix until combined.
- Roll dough into 1 ½ inch balls. Place on greased baking sheet or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press thumb into center of cookie to make a well. Place two cherries in each cookie.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
- Melt chocolate almond bark according to package directions. Drizzle over cookies. Let the chocolate set and serve immediately or store in an air tight container.
Cami J. says
I am making these now. They look so yummy. I am trying to enter the Lucky Leaf contest but none of the buttons are working to do the Facebook likes or he twitter. Can you check the links to make sure they are working and I can try again? There are only 4 days left to enter. Thanks!
Julie Evink says
I’m sorry Cami! Other people have entered it and it works. Have you tried logging out of the entry form or switching browsers?
Cami J. says
will try! Cookies were good but a bit dry and you said to make them into 2″ balls and them a thumbprint in the middle but your cookies are much flatter than that and they don’t spread much in the oven so mine came out a bit higher and fatter not as flat. The recipe should include that you flatten he balls and then make a thumbprint. Just a suggestion!
Julie Evink says
I just pushed a thumbprint into them. I did not flatten them out. I’m not sure why yours did not work!
Rachel @ {i love} my disorganized life says
You had me and ‘Chocolate Cherry’! {no, seriously, you did!} Thanks for sharing at Wednesday Whatsits – I always love your stuff!
Julie Evink says
Of course Rachel! Thanks for hosting again 🙂
Tonia says
Gorgeous!! Send some my way!
Julie Evink says
On their way!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
Oh my, Julie! First, let’s PLEASE not talk about how many sweets our children eat. I win. Second, these cookies are amazing!
Julie Evink says
Haha ok I surrender!
Sharron says
Wonderful looking cookies, and I’m all ready to bake, but please..forgive me if I seem like an idiot, but what is Chocolate Candiquik, and where do find it?
Thank-you for your help!!
Julie Evink says
It will be by the Almond Bark and if you can’t find it you can sub it for Chocolate Almond Bark!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Oh yes PLEEEEASE I’ll take a dozen!
Julie Evink says
Sounds good Hayley!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Such a gorgeous cookie, Julie!!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Becca!
Nicole, RD says
Now that is one picture perfect cookie. But not pretty enough to keep me from inhaling too many of them…yum!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Nicole!
Melissa says
There’s just not enough time to make all the wonderful recipes I find 🙂 These are so pretty and so Valentine Day-ish! (what we would do without Pinterest to be our online recipe collector?)
Julie Evink says
Isn’t that the truth! I wish I could just bake all day long so I could try them all out!
Cordelia says
Oh my word, Julie, they look heavenly. I can hardly wait to make them! Thank you for blessing us time after time!!
Julie Evink says
Thanks Cordelia!
Sarah @ Miss Candiquik says
Wow – that second photo of cookies is screaming at me to eat them, lol. Pinning and sharing!
Julie Evink says
You could road trip to get some 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
These cookies look marvelous Julie! You know how I am about my cherry and chocolate 🙂 Pinned and sharing on FB!
Julie Evink says
Thanks so much for sharing Trish!
Shaina says
Chocolate and cherry is one of my favorite flavor combos!
Julie Evink says
Mine too Shaina!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These are some seriously gorgeous thumbprint cookies!! The gorgeous cherry against the chocolate is calling my name!
Julie Evink says
Yes it is Jocelyn!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Oh sweet Mamma!