Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are thick, chewy chocolate cookies filled with a creamy, silky chocolate ganache. This easy recipe is pure chocolate indulgence — perfect for holidays, cookie swaps, or anyone who believes there’s no such thing as too much chocolate.
Recipe Highlights
- Perfect for gifting: They look elegant, travel well, and stay soft for days.
- Rich chocolate flavor: Cocoa powder in the dough + ganache filling = total chocolate overload (in the best way).
- Thick, soft texture: These cookies stay chewy and moist, never dry or crumbly.
- Ganache-filled center: The creamy chocolate filling makes every bite melt in your mouth.
- Simple ingredients: Just pantry staples and a bit of good chocolate.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST THUMBPRINT COOKIE RECIPE
Three kitchen items really help you make the best thumbprint cookies ever! I actually use these items in nearly every cookie recipe I make, as well as several other types of recipes, so they’re quite versatile.
First, I line my cookie sheets with a piece of parchment paper. They’re sold in sizes that fit a 12×16 cookie sheet perfectly and enable to cookies to bake well without sticking- and no mess from spraying oil on the cookie sheets!
The second item is a KitchenAid mixer. I love mine! I have a Bosch as well but I find I use my KitchenAid for cookies. There is a cookie paddle that comes with every mixer that you attach to the top of the mixer. They’re easy to use and help you mix the ingredients uniformly. Add this to your wish list because it’s one of my all-time used small appliances ever!
The third item is a cookie scoop! Years and years ago I used to use 2 spoons to measure and scrape cookie dough onto the pans. It wasn’t a perfect process and I often ended up with oblong cookies in various sizes. A friend of mine brought cookies to a party and I noticed each and every one of her cookies looked PERFECT. Her secret? A cookie scoop! They come in three sizes- 1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon and 3 tablespoon scoops. I used the smallest size- 1/2 tablespoon for these thumbprint cookies.
Ingredients in Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
- Flour – All-purpose flour gives structure without making the cookies dry.
- Cocoa powder – Unsweetened cocoa powder gives a deep chocolate flavor. Use dark cocoa if you love extra intensity.
- Baking soda – Just ¼ teaspoon adds lift without making the cookies cakey.
- Salt – Enhances all the chocolate flavor.
- Butter – Use softened, room-temperature butter for the perfect cookie texture.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
- Brown sugar – Keeps the cookies soft and adds a subtle molasses depth.
- Egg yolk – The secret to dense, chewy centers and rich flavor.
- Dark chocolate (58–62% cacao) – Melted into the ganache for a creamy, sophisticated filling.
- Heavy cream – Gives the ganache that luscious, truffle-like texture.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Thumbprint Cookies
Full instructions for making the cookies can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform cookies. Using a cookie scoop ensures every cookie is the same size, which means they’ll bake evenly and look professionally made. It also keeps the dough from sticking to your hands and helps maintain that neat, round shape. Once you start using one, you’ll wonder how you ever baked without it.
- Don’t overbake—slightly underdone is perfect. The key to chewy cookies is taking them out of the oven when they still look a bit soft in the center. They’ll continue to bake from residual heat on the pan. Overbaking will make them dry and take away that fudgy brownie-like texture. Trust the process—slightly soft is exactly what you want.
- Use high-quality chocolate for the ganache. Ganache only has two ingredients—cream and chocolate—so the chocolate you choose really matters. Use a high-quality bar (not chocolate chips) with at least 58% cacao for rich flavor and a smooth texture. Cheaper chocolate often contains stabilizers that prevent it from melting properly.
- Let the ganache cool before filling. If the ganache is too hot, it will thin out and run over the edges of your cookies. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes after whisking—it should be thick enough to spoon without dripping everywhere. Once it sets, it’ll have a gorgeous, glossy finish.
- Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. A light sprinkle of sea salt takes these cookies from delicious to next level. It balances the sweetness, sharpens the chocolate flavor, and adds a little sparkle on top. This one small touch makes them feel like something straight from a bakery.
- Chill the dough for cleaner thumbprints. If your dough feels sticky or too soft, pop it in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before shaping. Chilled dough holds its form better when pressed and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Fill the centers generously—but not too full. You want each cookie to have enough ganache for a rich, creamy bite, but not so much that it overflows. A small spoonful (about ½ teaspoon) per cookie is usually perfect.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature:
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy, but it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight or heat so the ganache doesn’t soften too much. - Freezer:
Freeze cookies for up to 3 months. For the best texture, freeze before adding ganache, then fill them once thawed. If freezing with ganache, place parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick together. - Thawing Tip:
Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving. They’ll taste just as rich and fresh as the day you made them.
FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes! Milk chocolate creates a sweeter, creamier ganache, while dark chocolate gives a deeper, more sophisticated flavor.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your butter was too warm or the dough wasn’t chilled, the cookies can spread. Always use softened—not melted—butter, and bake on parchment or a silicone mat instead of greasing your pans.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, this dough holds up beautifully in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before rolling into balls.
Can I fill them with something other than ganache?
Absolutely. Try caramel, Nutella, or even raspberry jam for a fun twist!
How long does the ganache take to set?
About an hour at room temperature or 20–30 minutes in the fridge if you’re in a hurry.
MORE CHOCOLATE COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY:
- Chocolate Stuffed Cake Mix Cookies use an easy chocolate cake mix dough wrapped around a chocolate nugget and topped with melted chocolate for the ultimate triple-chocolate treat.
- Soft, chewy, and loaded with oats and chocolate chips, Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect mix of hearty texture and rich cocoa flavor.
- Frosted Double Chocolate Cookies are rich, chocolate walnut cookies made with twice the chocolate and topped with creamy frosting for an irresistible dessert.
- Chewy, fudgy, and topped with Junior Mints, Double Chocolate Junior Mint Cookies are a dream come true for mint chocolate lovers.
- Frosted Brownie Cookies combine the best parts of brownies and cookies into one decadent, chewy treat topped with smooth, creamy frosting..
These Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are what every chocolate lover dreams of—soft, chewy, rich, and filled with luscious ganache. Whether you’re baking for a party or need a chocolate fix, these cookies are guaranteed to steal the spotlight.
Liz says
The only thing better than chocolate chip cookies are DOUBLE chocolate chip cookies! such a yummy treat!
Brandy says
I love thumbprint cookies, but double chocolate thumbprint is now my go-to! WOW! So delicious these are not lasting long in my house! I know I will be making these over and over again!