Name: Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar (packed); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 large egg; 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder; ½ cup granulated sugar for coating (or your preferred topping: coarse sugar, powdered sugar, finely chopped roasted nuts, or desiccated coconut); ½ cup seedless jam (or your preferred fillings such as lemon curd, fruit curd, hard candies, Nutella, chocolates, or Hershey kisses)

There’s something truly cozy about these little bites of chocolatey joy. This Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe brings together a tender crumb, rich cocoa flavor, and a burst of fruity sweetness in every bite—making it an absolute winner for your cookie jar or holiday tray.

A wooden tray lined with newspaper-style paper holds a variety of cookies arranged in layers. On the left, dark chocolate cookies with a smooth, shiny center fill one section, some paired with red and white striped candy canes. Next to them, golden cookies with red jam in the center form a stack, topped with candy canes. To the right, light yellow cookies hold a bright yellow filling, arranged in a neat pile. Below, chocolate cookies with nuts and a swirl of chocolate cream are tied with red and white string. At the bottom right, red sugar-coated cookies have a peppermint candy embedded in the center. Outside the tray on a white marbled surface, three jam-filled cookies and one chocolate nut cookie are placed near two candy canes forming a heart shape, with red and white bead garlands and red ribbons adding festive accents. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe because it’s unbelievably adaptable and has the perfect balance of soft and slightly crisp textures. Every time I bake this, my kitchen smells like warm chocolate and vanilla comfort.

Double Flavor Fun: You get both vanilla and chocolate dough from one recipe, doubling the variety effortlessly.
Customizable Fillings & Toppings: From raspberry jam to Nutella or even crushed nuts—make each batch uniquely yours.
No Chill Time: You can mix, bake, and snack fast – perfect if you want to whip up something spontaneously.
Lasting Softness: These cookies stay tender for days, so you’re not rushed to eat them immediately.

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients combine to give you that classic buttery richness with a cocoa twist, plus a clean vanilla undertone that pairs beautifully with your choice of filling. Grab good quality Dutch processed cocoa for the best deep chocolate flavor, and fresh vanilla extract to lift the dough.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, another small white ceramic bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of sea salt flakes, a small white ceramic bowl of all purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of dutch processed cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of seedless red raspberry jam, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams easily, creating that tender cookie texture.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combo that adds sweetness with a hint of moisture and chewiness.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s richness.
Large Egg: Binds the dough and adds a bit of structure while keeping the cookies soft.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone to give the cookies their structure and crumb.
Baking Powder: Provides a touch of lift so the cookies don’t turn out dense.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that’s crucial for the vanilla dough.
Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder: For that rich, mellow cocoa that’s less acidic and mixes smoothly into dough.
Sugar for Coating: Granulated sugar works great, but feel free to experiment—like coarse sugar or nuts—for added texture.
Seedless Jam: The classic filling for that jewel-like burst of fruit flavor and moisture right in the cookie center.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I enjoy tweaking this Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe depending on the season or my mood. It’s so versatile that adding unique fillings and rolling the dough in fun toppings becomes its own little creative outlet!

Variation: Around the holidays, I swap out jam for lemon curd or even a dab of Nutella added right after baking – try it and see how those creamy chocolaty pockets melt in your mouth.
Dietary Twist: Using a dairy-free butter alternative works perfectly if you want to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Seasonal Flair: Toasted shredded coconut coating with a tropical jam filling creates a fresh, sunny vibe when you want to break up winter cookie monotony.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

A close-up view shows a pile of assorted cookies on a white marbled surface. In the center, there is a light beige cookie with a glossy red jam heart-shaped filling. Surrounding it are bright red round cookies coated with sugar crystals and topped with small white and red peppermint candy pieces. To the left, darker chocolate cookies with chopped nuts and a swirl of chocolate on top are tied with thin red and white string. Behind the central cookie, there are other cookies with a smooth yellow filling in the middle. The background is softly blurred, making the cookies the main focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Your Butter and Sugars until Fluffy

Start by beating softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars – I use my stand mixer but a hand mixer works fine too. You want this mixture light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t skip scraping the bowl down a couple of times; even mixing means even baking.

Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Salt

Toss in the egg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Beat again until this is all well combined and smooth. The salt really sharpens the flavors here, so be sure to include it.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Divide Your Dough

Sift the flour and baking powder straight into your wet mixture to avoid lumps. Gently fold everything together until a soft dough forms. Divide it in half—this is when the magic happens.

Step 4: Add Cocoa to One Half of Dough

Sprinkle cocoa powder into one bowl and mix gently until the dough is evenly chocolatey. It’s super satisfying seeing the two different doughs come from the same base!

Step 5: Shape & Coat Your Cookies

Use about a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop (or your hands) to form balls from both doughs. Roll them into your topping choice—granulated sugar is classic, but crushed nuts or coconut are fun too. Then press an indent in the center with your thumb or teaspoon; if you’re feeling fancy, make a heart shape by pressing your index finger twice at angles. It’s a cute touch!

Step 6: Fill and Bake

Drop a small spoonful of jam into each indent—raspberry seedless is my go-to—or get creative with fruit curds or even little hard candies. Place cookies spaced on parchment-lined trays and bake them at 355°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye so you don’t overbake; you want them soft with just a hint of crisp on the edges.

Step 7: Add Final Touches

When the cookies come out hot and smelling divine, add any delicate toppings such as a dollop of Nutella or a Hershey’s Kiss quickly while warm—this gives you the gooey or melted effect that’s irresistible.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy!

Let cookies cool on a wire rack. Trust me, patience here pays off because the cookie sets to that perfect soft texture you’re aiming for. Then dig in or package them up for gifting!

Top Tip

After baking this Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve picked up a few key tricks to make your batch the best.

Soft Butter is Essential: Make sure your butter isn’t melted but soft enough to cream properly, or your dough texture will be off.
Don’t Overbake: I set my timer for 8 minutes and check—the cookies continue to firm up as they cool, so perfect timing keeps them tender inside.
Pressing Indents: Use a small teaspoon for neat thumbprints rather than just your thumb; it gives more precise cavity for the jam.
Add Delicate Fillings After Baking: Nutella and chocolates melt quickly, so add them right when cookies are warm out of the oven instead of before baking.

How to Serve Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often keep it classic with a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty snowy look during the holidays. If I want an extra crunch, finely chopped toasted almonds or pistachios as a topping add a lovely color and nutty contrast.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa—especially if you’re gifting or serving at brunch. I even like serving with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert plate that feels truly indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift boxes or holiday parties, I arrange cookies in colorful tins layered with parchment, mixing chocolate and vanilla thumbprints for a festive look. Using mini cookie cutters to create heart-shaped indents also makes them extra special for Valentine’s or anniversaries.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their softness and flavor beautifully up to 4 days, and having them ready for whenever a sweet craving hits is a total lifesaver.

Freezing

These cookies freeze great! I freeze the unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When I want to bake fresh cookies, I bake them straight from frozen with just a minute or two added to the bake time.

Reheating

If you have leftover baked cookies, I like reheating them briefly in a warm oven (about 300°F/150°C for 5 minutes) to regain a freshly baked warmth and softness—just don’t leave them too long or they might dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that's suitable for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to mimic the gluten's structure for the best texture.

What's the best way to prevent the jam from spreading while baking?

Using seedless jam helps prevent excessive spreading, and pressing a nice deep indent gives the jam a space to stay contained. Also, avoid overfilling the thumbprint to minimize overflow during baking.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let it soften slightly before shaping and baking for easier handling.

What toppings work best besides sugar and nuts?

Try rolling your cookie balls in powdered sugar for a delicate finish or desiccated coconut for a tropical touch. For an extra festive vibe, crushed peppermint candies or colored sanding sugar add great flavor and sparkle.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate-Cocoa Thumbprint Cookies Recipe has become a real favorite in my kitchen for its ease, versatility, and that perfect sweet spot of chocolate and fruity jam. I promise you—once you try this, you'll find yourself reaching for this recipe every time a cookie craving strikes or a gift is needed. Treat yourself or a loved one; these cookies truly feel like a warm hug in edible form.