Delight your taste buds with these Vanilla Pudding Thumbprint Cookies, a perfect fusion of creamy vanilla pudding and rich chocolate ganache. These cookies offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience, combining soft, buttery textures with luscious fillings. Ideal for any occasion, these thumbprint cookies are both easy to make and irresistibly delicious. Follow this simple recipe to create a batch of treats that will leave everyone asking for more.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Pudding:
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
For the Chocolate Topping:
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Directions
Make the Cookies:
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each dough ball slightly, creating a small indent in the center with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Vanilla Pudding:
- Whisk Pudding Mix: In a bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Set the Pudding: Refrigerate the pudding for about 5 minutes to allow it to set properly.
Make the Chocolate Topping:
- Melt Chocolate Chips: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the Cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer, making sure not to boil it.
- Combine and Stir: Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Assemble the Cookies:
- Add Vanilla Pudding: Once the cookies have cooled, spoon a small dollop of vanilla pudding into the indent of each cookie.
- Top with Chocolate Ganache: Spoon or drizzle the chocolate ganache over the top of each cookie, covering the pudding.
- Let the Chocolate Set: Allow the chocolate ganache to set before serving or storing the cookies.
Final Touch
These Vanilla Pudding Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate Ganache are a delightful treat for any sweet tooth. Each bite offers a perfect balance of creamy vanilla and rich chocolate, making them an instant hit. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or as a sweet ending to any meal.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: Approx. 160 per cookie
Servings: 24 cookies
Now, you’re ready to impress your friends and family with these delectable, homemade cookies!