Velvet Thumbprints Cream Cookies (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1/2 cup soft butter, unsalted.
02 - 3/4 cup white sugar.
03 - 1 large egg, warmed to room temp.
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla.
05 - 1 teaspoon red coloring for food.
06 - 1 1/4 cups regular flour.
07 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa.
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
09 - 1/8 teaspoon table salt.
10 - 4 ounces soft cream cheese.
11 - 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar.
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring.
13 - 1/4 cup sparkly red/green sugar.

# Instructions:

01 - Beat the soft butter with white sugar using your mixer until it's fluffy and pale, roughly 2-3 mins.
02 - Add the egg, vanilla and red coloring, mixing till you get a bright red, evenly blended mix.
03 - In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, sifting to break up any clumps.
04 - Slowly add your dry stuff to the wet stuff, stirring just until everything comes together. Don't mix too much.
05 - Wrap your dough in plastic and stick it in the fridge for at least 30 mins until it's firm to touch.
06 - While waiting, mix the cream cheese with confectioners' sugar and vanilla until it's smooth and lump-free.
07 - Get your oven hot at 350°F and put parchment on your cookie sheets.
08 - Take the cold dough and make small 1-tablespoon balls with your hands.
09 - Roll each dough ball in the sparkly sugar until they're totally covered.
10 - Set your sugary balls on the sheets, keeping them about 2 inches from each other.
11 - Push your thumb or a spoon into the middle of each cookie to make a little hole.
12 - Pop them in the oven for 10-12 mins until the edges feel done but the middles stay a bit soft.
13 - If needed, push down the centers again while the cookies are still hot.
14 - Leave cookies on the hot sheet for 5 mins before moving them to a cooling rack.
15 - Once they're totally cool, put a bit of cream cheese mix in each hole using a spoon or piping bag.

# Notes:

01 - Great for holiday treats.
02 - Can be prepped beforehand.
03 - Looks super festive.
04 - Fun for making with kids.

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