Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies.
Chocolate on chocolate. Yes, please.
I think one of the best things about December is all the cookies. I mean, they’re practically everywhere, and I gotta say, I love it! I mean, who could not? Cookies are the best. I’ve gotten into the habit of sending out a box of cookies to people I work with and close family members the week before Christmas. In prepping for this year’s box, I wanted to have a few new cookie recipes to include, and obviously these Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies are making the cut.
Chocolate cookie with chocolate coffee ganache…too good! And then, because I was feeling all fancy and just happened to have it on hand, I decorated these cookies with edible gold leaf. Yeah, edible gold leaf, super fun right? Kind of big time lovin’ these right now.
So at the end of each month, I try to sit and jot down some recipe ideas for the upcoming month. Some months I have a ton of ideas and some…not so much. The month of December however is always pages long. Holiday recipes come so easily to me, especially the sweet ones, I just have so much fun with them! And you guys all know that around here, the chocolate just flows, so including some chocolate recipes in the month are a must! Thing is, I only have so many days to post. That makes choosing between them all a major struggle to say the least. Instead of doing the hard work myself, I just sent the list off to my brother and these cookies were at the top of his list.
Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies it is then! Done and DONE.
Up until these cookies, I’d never made a thumbprint style cookie. I normally stick to the sugar cookies, butter cookies, or super gooey chocolate cookies. Thumbprints just never really got me excited, but then I wrote down this idea, for an all chocolate coffee infused thumbprint cookie, and I was SOLD.
If you ask me, chocolate and coffee has got to be one of the best pairings there is. The coffee compliments the chocolate so well. In my cookbook, I have a recipe for lava cakes, I add just a little coffee and I swear it makes all the difference, best lava cakes around <–seriously. So excited about that recipe…can’t wait for you guys to see it, make it, and eat it…coming next fall!
Anyway, back to the cookies! With a lot of cookie recipes it seems there’s often the rather annoying step (if you ask me), of chilling the dough. I dunno about you guys, but I can never seem to plan ahead, and when I wanna cookie, I want it fast, not after waiting two hours for the dough to chill, sorry, that’s just not an option. Well, I’m excited to say that this dough needs zero chilling. These cookies are actually pretty fast and easy cookies to make too. Plus you may even have all of the ingredients on hand right now, cause you know I do! Tis the season after all! Plus, Tuesday cookies are the bestest. I mean, right?!
These are the perfect cookies to gift, but they’re also great just to bake and enjoy yourself. While the cookie is delicious, it’s the ganache that’s key here. Nothing beats biting into that fudgy center, SO GOOD. The cookies are similar to a brownie cookie…moist and super chocolatey…but with a really nice hint of coffee flavor. If you like, you can choose to tone down the coffee flavor by adding less espresso powder, but I prefer to go heavy, the more the better!
Ok and super quick, I have serious question for you guys…
QUESTION: what are YOUR favorite Christmas cookies? I’m dying to know if some of you are like me and love something a bit more chocolately, or if you’re all about the sugar cookies?
Oh and hmm, maybe I should do a round-up of my favorite Christmas desserts sometime before Christmas Eve? Yes? No?
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate cookies
Chocolate cookie with chocolate coffee ganache...too good!
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream optional
Chocolate Ganache
- 8 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chopped
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and coffee powder and beat until incorporated. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, beating until just combined. If the dough feels dry, add 1 tablespoon heavy cream.
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Roll the dough into 2 teaspoon size balls and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using the end of a wooden spoon or your thumb, press gently in the center of each to create an indentation.
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Transfer to the oven and bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are just set, about 7-8 minutes. If the indentations lose their definition, gently press the centers in again. Cool slightly on baking sheet and then transfer cookies to wire racks, and let cool completely.
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Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate and cream. Microwave on 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla and coffee powder until dissolved. Spoon the ganache into the center of each cookie. Decorate as desired with sprinkles or edible gold leaf. Keep cookies stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Tuesday cookies with a kick…for the win!
oooh i love how dark and rich these look! as long as there’s a good combo of cookies (definitely something minty and then a mish mash of spiced, chocolatey, etc) i’m down to eat all of them (;
Yes!! So excited you like them!! Eating all of them the only option (:
Oh yum! Love that chocolate ganache in the middle! I also put coffee in my choclate desserts I think it intensifies the chocolate flavor. I’m like you, I’m not much on waiting for the dough to be chilled. I want to make the cookies and taste results in no time! lol You really know how to make things so fancy with that gold leaf. My fave cookie during the holidays is the chocolate crinkles, soft, chewy, sugary, and so chocolatey! And yes to rounding up Christmas desserts!
It makes it so delish!! I’m always trying to get the cookies done early haha!
AH chocolate crinkles are so so good!! So agree!
Thanks Sheila!!
These cookies sound fabulous! My favorite Christmas cookies are iced gingerbread men.
Thanks Liz!! I too obviously love gingerbread!! (:
O h my lord, these loooook really delicious!!!
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Thank you Ruth!!
Haha, you “happen to have” gold leaf… That’s gotta be a foodbloggers thing! I LOVE chocolate & coffee and these cookies look delicious. I don’t really have a favourite Christmas cookie, but sugar cookies are always a good idea…
I happen to have way to many strange food styling stuff! Lol!
Thanks so much!! You can never go wrong with the sugar cookies!
OMG.. They look so decadent and delicious!
My favorites are almond Crescent cookies!!!!
Thanks Carlos!! Love crescent cookies!!
These look delicious! I’d love to see a list of Christmas desserts! Thank you!
Okay!! Thanks Rhian!!
Totally agree! Chocolate and coffee are perfect together! These look so cute and delicious. 🙂
Thank you Caroline!!
These look soooo good! My favorite Holiday cookies are half moon cookies and Russian Tea Cakes.
Ah both delicious!! Thanks so much!!
YAS PLEASE to both a pile of these cookies & also a christmas cookie round-up before the holidays! (these look ahhhmazing!)
Okay!! perfect thanks Jess!
YES!!! This is such a great recipe — I can taste it. I have to make them – just for me. YUM!
YAY! Hope you love them Marisa!!
These look amazing. Love the golden glitter. Makes them so festive and decadent 🙂 x Kati
Thank you so much Kati!!
Keep these arlitces coming as they’ve opened many new doors for me.
wow! that cake looks amazing! and the streusel topping… Yum!It's not a good idea reading food blog, especially yours when I'm just about to go to bed. I am hungry now.. 🙂
AH! I have that problem too, its when I look at everyone elses blogs!
Thank you so much though!
These cookies look absolutely stunning! Anyone who received them would be so lucky! I’m having a cookie exchange soon – these may grace the table!
http://www.searedandshameless.com
Ah that can be you giving them!! Thank you!!
GOLD LEAF?! you fancy huh 😉 looooove these
Haha!! Yes!! Thanks girl!
Tieghan, these thumbprint cookies look fab! And that golden touch make them festive! I don’t think I have favorite cookies, but for me it’s a must to bake & ice gingerbread cookies!
Thanks Julia!! They are so fun!!
My goodness, these look amazing!! Just so inviting! And the gold foil adds a very festive, fancy touch!
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Ah thanks so much!
These delicious and kind of easy to make! I love the flecks of gold and the fact that they are chocolate on chocolate!
Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk
So happy you like them!! Thanks Rachael!
Omg. I love this! I’m a huge fan of chocolate so this is right up my alley, but I know it’ll be even better with espresso powder! These cookies are so gorgeous and perfect for gift giving.
Yes!! The espresso powder is delish!! Thanks Andrea!!
the fav Christmas cookies in my house are chocolate crinkles and peanut blossoms … and YES i have these ingredients on hand 🙂
Ohmygosh. That photo of the cookie with the bite taken out of it… the texture of the chocolate ganache looks HEAVENLY!
Ah!! Thank you so much!! I love that photo!!
These look so good- I think I’ll make them for our cookie exchange! I bake lots of cookies every December, usually about 7 different kinds. Some of my favourites are the gingerbread cookies (made with honey, not molasses) and Linzer cookies, plus almond chocolate bars sandiched with cardamom spiced ganache. I have a round up of the recipes on my blog, if you’re interested: http://www.growntocook.com/?p=4765
YAY! That sounds super fun!! The cookies round up is amazing!! I love the Linzer cookies!!
Cookies are part of my favorite memories of Christmas and these look awesome!
Right!! Me too!!
Yum!! These looks fantastic
Thanks Sara!!
Ok so I have EVERYTHING except for the cacao powder and don’t plan to go buy any but still wanna make these, like today !!! What do I do? Omit it simply? Replace it by a a lil more flour?
Hey Erika! I am not sure. You could try using an equal amount of flour. That might work. Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
OMgsh that gooey filling!!!
(: Glad you noticed! Thanks Jen!
My all time favorite cookie AND you made them double chocolate! I’m dead.
YAY!! Haha!! Thats amazing! Hope you love them (:
Wow! These cookies look amazing! I will have to try them this holiday season as they have my two favourite ingredients. Coffee and Chocolate!
Hope you love them Sarah!! (:
These sure look great. My husband is a chocoholic. I like it too but my favorite cookies all year long are whole wheat oatmeal with dried fruit and walnuts.
Such a healthy but delicious favorite!!
These look absolutely decadent Tieghan! I’m all about these because I’m a HUGE coffee junkie! Way too many cups a day, so add it to a cookie and I’m all in! I say do a round up! Probably some type of shortbread or some anise flavored sugar cookies would be on my favorites list. But now I’ll be adding these!
Yes!! So appealing to us coffee lovers!! Ah, anise cookies are amazing! Thanks so much Mary Ann!!
Yes please to double chocolate! I adore these! 🙂
Double chocolate is the best!! Thanks Laura!!
These look so good! Coffee and chocolate are the best. I have to admit I lean more towards the buttery cookie varieties. Butter cut-out cookies, mini shoo-fly pie tarts, and my favorite- toffee shortbread meltaways!
Thanks Mandy! You can’t go wrong with those!! Always delish!!
Hi, Tiegh, I just want to ask, if you write 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter, how much is it in grams?
In Europe, our classic butter stick means 250 g, but I think the US stick is half the amount –> 1 stick = 125 g. Am I right?
Thank you for the reply and have a nice day!
HI! It is 226 grams.
These cookies look absolutely delicious ❤ I also like the fact that they take minimum effort, as I hate complicated procedures 🙂 Am giving these a try, thanks for sharing the recipe!
Yay! Hope you love them Kristina!!
That ganache looks so rich and creamy!! Making me crave chocolate 🙂
Thanks Hannah!! Hope you get to try them (:
You combined my two favorite food words (chocolate and espresso) into one cookie!! These look aaah-mazing!!!!! And the orange zest on top is a lovely little festive decor;) How sweet.
Ah yay! This cookies is so for you!! Thanks so much!
These cookies are gorgeous!
Thank you Alice!!
These are such stunning looking cookies!!
Thank you Ami!
Is there no leavening agent in these?
Hey Katelyn, there is no leaving agents in these. Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks!
These look unbelievably good! I have to try making them soon.
Hope you love them!! Thank you!
WOW these are basically the dream cookie! But my favorite family christmas cookies are our almond rock cookies which are basically a shortbread style crust topped with chocolate and almonds. They’re so simple and taste exactly like almond roca chocolates! I look forward to them every year:)
Thank you!!
Wow! Those sound delish!!
Omg. This looks like a little pool of chocolate heaven in a little pillow of chocolate heaven that belongs on my plate right this instant. NEED these in my life!
Thanks so much Karly!! I hope you get to make them!!
What kind of espresso powder do you use? I have cafe bustelo ar home but it’s not instant!
Hey Erica! I like to use DeLallo Brand. It works great! 🙂
HOpe you love the cookies!
YUM just the recipe I was looking for today. Do the cookies come out crunchy or soft? Cant wait to try them!
Hey Allie! The cookies come off soft! Hope you love these! 🙂
Everybody, you HAVE! TO! TRY! these …
1 cup = 225 g butter
1 cup = 225 g sugar
2 cups = 260 g flour
1/2 cup = 50 g cocoa powder
8 ounces = 225 g chocolate
1/3 cup = 80 ml heavy cream
(I reduced the salt to 1 teaspoon.)
So awesome you converted this! And So happy you are loving these! thank you Eike!
I’m making these cookies for two offices tonight and because it’s going to be a very large batch (6 batches!) would you recommend anything to make sure they all turn out the same (and yummy?!)
Thanks!
Based on MY experience, these cookies are 100 % fool-proof! I couldn’t imagine what could go wrong …
I made them for our annual cookie exchange and they were a success with everybody – the son of our friends who also came over complained about stomachache the next day because he ate so many 🙂
Oh no!! Definitely have to be careful how many you eat!!
These. Are. Incredible. My boyfriend loves extra-shot dark chocolate cafe mochas and these are that drink in cookie form! Perfectly delicious, and they were so easy to make! I did not have any edible gold or the like, so I waited for the ganache to cool and set and then topped each one with some fleur de sel, which REALLY sets off the chocolate. Deeeelicious! 😀
Hey Kate! I am so so happy these were perfect for you and then turned out great!! Thank you so much!
I absolutely agree that December calls for cookie baking galore! But then again, you can bake as many cookies as you want year-round IMO! XD I do think that around this time of year, people go CRAZY.
These thumbprint cookies look wonderful–I just love the creamy ganache filling inside! Chocolate and coffee taste great together!
“2 cup sticks unsalted butter “- is it 2 cups or 2 sticks?
Hey Anna, I am so sorry for the confusion. It is 2 sticks butter. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love these cookies!
Got inspired to make a batch of cookies for fall… just whipped these up and they are incredible. Huge fan of yours! 🙂
Thank you Amanda! I am so happy you like these!
Made and they were amazing .. only thing is there was a lot of chocolate ganache left over, id make half of the recipe next time 🙂
I am so glad you liked this! Thank you!
I don’t think I’ve ever used a recipe for anything that I still remember a year later except for THESE. Seriously the best cookie I’ve had and the only ones I look forward to baking. I’m fixing to bake these for the 3rd time this month for thanksgiving tomorrow! I have a feeling these will be made every year – amazing!!
I am so happy you like these! Thank you Liz, I hope your Thanksgiving was amazing!
Can I freeze these?
I have not done so, but I do think freezing these would work out great. Let me know how it goes and Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! :
These look awesome and I’m going to be making them for my office potluck.. would i be able to use sugar in the raw as the granulated sugar? Or would you suggest sticking with plain white sugar?
HI! I recommend using granulated sugar as the sugar in the raw will not dissolve the same way. It could make the cookies crunchy. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? ?
Love this recipe idea!! Wondering if you could make the dough and ganache separately and then bake a couple days later? I’m needing to travel but want to make a quick prep cookie once I’ve arrived! Thanks for your help!
HI! I think that should work our great!! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
These cookies are incredible. This will be the second year in a row I’ve chosen them for my birthday. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing them!
That is amazing! Thank you Hannah!
Any idea if these will survive freezing? Thanks! The smell while mixing and baking is amazing!
I have not frozen these, but I do think it would work just great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
I made these and my boyfriend and I both took them to work to share with coworkers. One coworker said they were “insane” and another said they were “out of this world.” They were super easy to make and so flavorful and delicious. Highly recommend making them!
Wow that is so amazing! I am so glad everyone loved these cookies, Kiko! Thank you!
I just made these cookies and they are SO good! I love coffee and chocolate, and this combination is just too delicious. The recipe is very simple and easy to follow. It is always so nice when you spend the time and ingredients to try a new recipe and it actually turns out so well! Thank you for one of my new favorite recipes 🙂 I can’t wait to try out what else you have!
I agree! So glad these turned out amazing for you Allie and you enjoyed them! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I’ve made these cookies 2 times now and they do not disappoint when I bring them to people! The flavors are so rich and complex with the espresso! And topping them with gold or silver definitely makes them the stand out! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for trying this Brye! xTieghan
I tried this recipe not too long ago and WOWIE!! It was a huge hit with my daughter’s soccer team as well as the parents.
I’d like to make this for a friend who can’t have eggs, dairy and unfortunately wheat. What can be substituted for these ingredients?
Thanks!
Noemi
Hi Noemi, I am so sorry but I am not comfortable advising on how to adapt the cookies this. You are asking to change the bulk of the ingredients, so I would need to completely retest the recipe. SO SORRY I can’t help. Please let me know if you have any other questions. xTieghan
These are amazing. The first time I made them, I knew they’d become a staple in my cookie folder. 🙂
I love to hear that!! Thank you so much Lauren! xTieghan
Does the chocolate set up? Pics it looks soft and gooey. Do they freeze well?
Hey Allison! No the chocolate will not fully set and instead will stay soft in the middle. The cookies do freeze great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Definitely adding this to my cookie trays this year! Quick question – you said that you don’t have to chill the dough ahead of time. Do you think there’s any harm in chilling or freezing the dough?
HI! I don’t think there is any harm. I am sure either will be just fine. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan! Could I sub coconut cream for heavy cream in this recipe?
Hi Kasey! Sure that is a great idea and will work well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
These were absolutely divine!
Thank you Staci! xTieghan
These look great. I always have to add my touch. I use espresso chocolate chips for the melt. Also added a small bit of Carmel espresso under the chocolate.
Ooo yes! I am so happy you loved these Carol! Thank you! xTieghan
Totally agree- espresso powder makes chocolate dessert one million times tastier.
Some of my favorite cookies to make around Christmas time are rosemary short bread (cut into the shapes of friendly woodland critters) & an eggnog & chai snickerdoodle. I think this year I’d like to try something maybe chocolate and orangey? To me that a classic Christmas combo.
I love all your stuff Tieghan, thanks for sharing your talents with the world!
Thank you so much Christina! I am really glad you have been enjoying my recipes and I hope you continue to! xTieghan
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
Hey Kristina,
Yes, you can make these ahead and freeze them. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
New favorite cookie! I’ve made this recipe twice now and there’s enough ganache for 2 batches. Plus side is that they freeze great, stay soft and fresh for a week.
It’s not too sweet and easy to make!
Hey Nicolle,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
I just made these today. I didn’t have any fancy gold, so I roasted some hazelnuts and put one in each thumbprint and topped with the ganache. They are fantastic! Thank you for sharing the recipe
Hey Maria,
I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
These are delicious! Love the complexity of flavor with the espresso and that they’re not overly sweet. A+!
Hey Laura,
Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan