If you’re a fan of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, get ready for your new favorite cookie. These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies take everything you love about the classic dessert — that deep cocoa flavor, rich red color, and creamy tang — and shrink it into a bite-sized treat.
The first time I made them, I wanted something festive but simple for Valentine’s Day. I took my favorite red velvet cookie dough, pressed in the centers, filled them with a tangy cream cheese mix, and baked until soft and slightly crackled. The result? A cookie that tastes like red velvet cheesecake but with all the fun of a thumbprint cookie. They’ve become a family favorite, right alongside my Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies and Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies.
Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Chill in the fridge while you make the dough.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring. Mix until smooth and evenly red.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Roll into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to press an indentation in each cookie. Fill with about ½ teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers are creamy. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Nutrition
Notes
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Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies are rich, chewy, and topped with a creamy center that balances the sweetness perfectly. The contrast between the vibrant red cookie and the smooth cream cheese filling makes them gorgeous for parties or holiday cookie boxes.
If you love rich and colorful desserts like my Pink Party Donuts or Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow, these cookies fit right in your lineup of show-stopping sweets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
If you love cream cheese-based desserts, check out my Creamy Cheesecake Dip — same creamy sweetness, zero fuss.
How to Make Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Chill in the fridge while you make the dough.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring. Mix until smooth and evenly red.
Step 5: Combine and Shape
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Roll into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Step 6: Add the Cream Cheese Centers
Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to press an indentation in each cookie. Fill with about ½ teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers are creamy. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
If you enjoy cookies that balance flavor and beauty, this recipe is as simple and satisfying as my White Chocolate Macadamia Bars.
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
- Don’t skip the vinegar: It reacts with cocoa for that classic red velvet tang.
- Chill the filling: It helps keep the centers smooth and creamy while baking.
- Use gel food coloring: You’ll get a deeper red without altering texture.
- Bake just until set: Overbaking can dry them out.
These same little baking secrets are what make my Garten’s Cranberry Orange Bread turn out moist and perfect every time.
How to Store and Freeze
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls and filling separately. Thaw dough slightly before shaping and baking.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze cooled cookies in layers with parchment paper for up to 2 months.
Like my Christmas Bread Recipe, these cookies stay soft and flavorful even after freezing.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Chip Center: Add mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese mixture.
- Peppermint Twist: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract for a holiday spin.
- Double Chocolate: Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies.
- Red Velvet Oreo Style: Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top of the filling before baking.
If you love experimenting with flavor, this recipe is as flexible as my Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use bottled red velvet cake mix?
Yes! Use about 1½ cups of mix and adjust with 1 egg yolk and ¼ cup butter for homemade texture.
2. Do I need to refrigerate them?
Yes — because of the cream cheese filling, store in the fridge after cooling.
3. Can I make them ahead?
Absolutely! Chill dough up to 48 hours before baking.
4. Can I use a different filling flavor?
Sure — try lemon curd or chocolate ganache for a fun twist.
The Final Bite
These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies are soft, rich, and decadent — like red velvet cake meets cheesecake in the best possible way. They’re festive, elegant, and guaranteed to impress guests, neighbors, or anyone lucky enough to snag one from the tray.
Serve them with coffee or alongside my Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe for the ultimate cozy dessert combo.