Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

The Red Velvet Lover’s Cookbook. And I cannot think of a more appropriate name
This sweet little book is chock full of over 50 amazing red velvet recipes ranging from breakfast to cookies, cakes, and pies and everything in between. I can’t wait to try the red velvet pull apart bread and cocoa rolls! And the shortbread. And the marshmallow rockslide brownies. And all of it.
Seriously. All of it.
Drop what you’re doing right now and pop on over to Amazon to order this book. And then come right back to enjoy these devilishly delicious and festive cookies!

INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE COOKIES:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk*
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tsp red food coloring
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar or sanding sugar*

FOR THE FILLING:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg yolk*
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Beat together the butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour, food coloring, and cocoa powder until soft dough forms.
3. Scoop out the dough by heaping tablespoons and roll them in the sugar* before placing on the prepared baking sheet (about 2 inches apart). Use the back of a round teaspoon to make a small indentation in the cookie dough.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, make the filling: using an electric mixer or small food processor, beat together the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
6. After the first 10 minutes of baking, use the back of a round teaspoon to deepen the indentation in the cookies. Spoon a teaspoon of the filling into each indentation. Bake for an additional 12 minutes, until filling is set.
7. Let cool completely before serving. Store covered and chilled.