These homemade Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are an elevated twist on the classic using a fun cookie stamp set. They're soft and chocolatey with a fudgy, chewy jam-filled (or hazelnut spread filled) center! It's an easy recipe to make that gives you really delicious, sophisticated cookies! Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.
Blog post originally published September 12, 2018. Republished December 6, 2020 with updated recipe, content, and images.
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A Twist on the Classic
The classic thumbprint cookie—or jamboree cookie– is one of my favorites since childhood. So I decided to take my late-Grammy's holiday jamboree cookie recipe and turn it into a chocolate version and, instead of rolling them into a ball and making an indent, I decided to use a thumbprint cookie set.
I absolutely love how they came out and my word do they ever taste good! They're a great addition to any cookie box or simply to enjoy at home!
Thumbprint Cookie Stamp Set
I got these thumbprint cookie stamps from Williams Sonoma. They're plunger style which I really like because it does a good job of pushing out the cookie dough after they've been stamped. You can also give this thumbprint circle or rectangle cookie stamp a try as well.
How to Use a Plunger Style Cookie Stamp
- Cut into the cookie dough with the cookie stamp.
- Push down with the plunger to press the design into the cookie.
- Let go and allow the plunger to pop back up on it's own.
- Holding the cookie stamp over the parchment paper, push down on the plunger to release the cookie.
My Best Cookie Stamping Tips
Chill before baking. It's an added step that is not required, but I do highly recommend it because it does a great job of keeping the details of the cookies. After you roll out the dough and stamp out the cookies, place them into the refrigerator or—my preference—the freezer. 10-15 minutes is good.
Thicker cookies are better. Your dough should be rolled out to ¼ inch to 5/16 inch thick. This will give you a better looking cookie and the perfect center for the jam or hazelnut spread.
If it's rolled out too thin, when you press down on the cookie stamp plunger, it will go right through the dough.
Coat the stamps in flour. It will make things easier when stamping out the cookies. I keep a small bowl of flour next to my baking sheets as I stamp out the cookies. I dip it into the flour after stamping out 2-3 cookies.
Helpful Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Tips
Go the classic route. If you don't have thumbprint cookie stamps, you can go the classic route! Simply roll the chocolate cookie dough into small 1 to 1.5 inch balls, then press your finger into the center to create a cavity for where the jam or nutella will go.
Chilled dough is the best. You really only need to chill the cookie dough for 30-45 minutes before you roll it out for the cookie stamps or roll it into balls for the classic. Without the chilling either option will be too mushy and not easy to handle.
When the dough is brought out of the refrigerator it will be stiffer, but as you work with the dough it will soften up.
Flour your work surface and rolling pin. The flour will bake off so don't worry if it gets on your cookies! Having your work surface and rolling pin lightly floured helps to keep the dough from sticking to anything.
Use a spatula. The thumbprint cookies will be very soft and lightly puffy after you bake them. Use a spatula to transfer them from the baking sheet to the wire cooling rack. The puffiness will settle as the cookies cool.
Piping bags for the win. When filling the cookie centers, I found it easier to use piping bags. No decorative tip is needed, just snip the end off when you're ready to use. Plastic bags can be used in place of piping bags, and spoons are, of course, a good alternative if you don't have the bags.
Can I Freeze this Cookie Dough?
Yes, but I recommend freezing the cookies after you have cut them out. It will make things a whole lot easier come baking time!
No defrosting is needed. Just pop them in the oven. Same temperature, but it's recommended to add 1-2 minutes to your baking time.
Add These Cookies to Your Must-Bake List
- Salted Brownie Crinkle Cookies
- Super Soft Molasses Cookies
- Double Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
- Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms
Or visit the Cookies section of My Recipe Box to see them all!
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Author:Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg Yolk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Hazelnut Spread and/or Jam of your choice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Using your hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Switching the mixer speed to low, gradually add in your dry ingredients, then mix until well blended.
- Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 1 hour in the refrigerator. You can, alternatively, chill the dough overnight as well. If you choose this option, you may want to shape the dough into discs, like you would for pie crust, so it's easier to roll out the next day. When ready to bake, bring the dough out to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough (¼ inch - 5/16 inch thickness) onto a floured surface. Using the lightly floured cookie stamps, stamp out each cookie and place it on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. For a well-defined cookie shape, I highly recommended chilling the cookies in the refrigerator or freezer for 15-20 minutes before placing in the oven to bake.
- Once chilled, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes (my oven did well at 10 minutes). The cookies will be slightly puffy, but will settle as they cool. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Use a spatula to transfer them as they'll be very soft.
- Fill each cooled thumbprint cookie with either hazelnut spread or jam of your choice. You can use either a spoon or small piping bag, and I recommend heating up both fillings to make it easier to add to the center. Plastic bags can be used in place of piping bags. Just snip the corner when ready to start filling the cookies.
- Cookies can be stored at room temperature in a well-sealed container for up to 4 days or chilled in the refrigerator for a week.
sheenam | thetwincookingproject.net says
Oh these cookies look amazing!!! Yummy.
Jennifer says
Thank you so much!
Kaylynn says
This recipe is great! I love that the cookie has enough salt that you can subtly taste it, and is not overly sweet! It perfectly compliments the nutella/jam in the middle. The first night I made this, I used only enough to make a few cookies, but my husband and I loved them so much that I had to make more the next day! 🙂
Jennifer says
Yay! I'm so happy to hear you and your husband loved them, Kaylynn! Thank you so much for the feedback too! Have a good weekend!
Shannon says
I just bought these stamps and I’m so excited to test them out. And yes....thumbprint cookies = Christmas cookies. But so good anytime of year.
Jennifer says
Totally agree! So glad you got them! I love using them and actually need to make some more soon because my husband is obsessed with these cookies! ☺️ If you have any questions about using them, shoot me an email or a DM over on Instagram. And if you take any pics and/or post them to your social feeds send them my way so I can share!
Ann Stoller says
I, too, used the WS molds when I make thumbprint cookies. I love the effect; so professional looking. I tried your recipe and it worked great---tastes good, too. My cookies turned out a darker color than yours though. I like the lighter brown shade. What brand of cocoa powder did you use? Thank you.
Jennifer says
I'm so glad you loved them! Aren't the WS stamps awesome? For this recipe, I believe I used Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder. I've also used Ghirardelli's as well and like both of them!
Maria Newcomer says
I bought the stamps and then found this recipe. These are sooooooo good. I have always loved butter cookies and did not realize how much I would love a chocolate version.
Jennifer says
I'm so happy to hear you loved them, Maria! Thank you for making them!
BilliJo says
It is so hard to find good recipes these days! I am so pleasantly surprised by this! This is a fantastic recipe! I am so pleased! Thank you! Thank you! This is my new go to!
Emma says
I just bought these cookie stamps from WS, but having a hard time cleaning them! It looks like some flour and water got caught inside the press. How do you clean yours? The box only says hand wash only, which I did, but doesn’t seem to get behind the spring inside the stamp. I definitely want to try your recipe, but need to make sure the cookie stamps are clean before I do so.
Jennifer says
Hi! Yes, I have found them to be a little tricky trying to clean them when that happens! I'm not able to get behind the spring and stamp with any cleaning tools, so I turn the stamps upside down, fill up the bottom with super hot soapy water, then press the plunger in to let it fall in between the stamp and spring. Then I shake it a bunch of times, rinse, then repeat until I don't see any bits down there. I will lightly towel them off, but then let them air dry completely. I hope this helps! I also wear rubber cleaning gloves when I wash any dishes by hand because I like to use super hot water 🙂
Lulu says
First thanks for the yummy recipe. I love this chocolate version of stamped butter cookies! As for cleaning, I have these same stamps from Williams Sonoma and they do come apart for cleaning. I just pulled the little plunger out and it came apart to clean. To put back together, put the spring on the plunger and then fit in the hole on the stamp. I’ve done this at least 10 times and not had any problems. Thanks!
Jennifer says
Oh my gosh! Well, that definitely good to know! Thank you! And so glad to hear you loved the recipe too!
Kimberly says
Hi, can these cookies be frozen after baked & filled with jam?
Jennifer says
I haven't tried them this way, but I would recommend freezing them without the jam. Let them come to room temperature, then pipe in the jam or hazelnut spread.