Double Dark Chocolate Thumbprints

Yields about 4 dozen cookies

To learn more, read:
Dessert in a Cookie
by Abigail Johnson Dodge
from Fine Cooking
Issue 108
Last Edit Date: 10/28/2010 2:07:43 PM

These are cookies for true chocoholics. The dough has both cocoa and bittersweet chocolate, and the ganache filling is rich and dark.

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For the cookies

6 oz. (1-1/3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 oz. (1/2 cup) natural, unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy
3 large eggs
3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly

For the chocolate filling

3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 3 pieces

Make the cookies

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line 3 cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and cocoa powder on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and the beater. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until blended after each addition, about 30 seconds, and adding the vanilla along with the last egg. Continue mixing on medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the cooled, melted chocolate and mix until just blended, about 30 seconds. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until well blended, about 1 minute.

Using 2 tablespoon measures or a mini ice cream scoop, drop tablespoons of dough about 1-1/2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake, one sheet at a time, until the cookies are puffed and the tops are cracked and look dry, 11 to 13 minutes. When the cookies are just out of the oven, use the rounded side of a half-teaspoon measure or the end of a thick-handled wooden spoon to make a small, deep well in the center of each cookie. Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. (At this point, you can fill the cookies immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month before filling.)

Make the filling

Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or in a medium bowl set in a skillet of barely simmering water, stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside until cool and slightly thickened.

Fill the cookies

Spoon the chocolate mixture into the wells of the cooled cookies. Set aside until the chocolate firms up, about 1 hour. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 90; Fat (g): 4.5; Fat Calories (kcal): 40; Saturated Fat (g): 2.5; Protein (g): 1; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 1.5; Carbohydrates (g): 11; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0; Sodium (mg): 45; Cholesterol (mg): 20; Fiber (g): 1;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by localempa, 7/13/2012amazing. an extremely elegant cookie with wonderful textures. make these today!

by 2happy, 2/23/2011Truly a chocolate lover's delight! Putting this in my best favorites

by joannedoucette2, 1/22/2011A beautiful looking and tasting cookie! I will definitely be making these again...I'll probably double the recipe the next time!! These would be great with chocolate chips in the batter...white, bittersweet, milk...even peanut butter chips...the chocolate topping would be nice drizzled over the baked cookie for a different presentation...

by suebass, 12/22/2010Terrific mousse-like cookies. These will be on our holiday table

by bluesnowkat, 12/20/2010Easy to make and delicious! Even people who aren't huge chocolate fans gave me compliments on these.

by cesmith, 12/19/2010These cookies were easy and fast to make. And they are definitely a chocoholics dream!

by Charron, 12/4/2010Very rich! I made the last few cookies in the batch about half the recommended size and baked them for about 1 minute less. We enjoyed the smaller size - you can always eat two.

by Jalapeno2010, 11/10/2010People loved these cookies. The one change I made was using Ghirardelli extra dark chocolate instead of bittersweet, because that is what I had.