Chocolate Thumbprints

For 36 Cookies, Chocolate Thumbprints keeps the list centered on coarse salt, egg yolks and heavy cream. Set aside about 35 minutes.

• Yield 36 Cookies
• Ready in 35 minutes
• Prep 25 minutes
• Cook 10 minutes

Ingredients

Cookies

• 2 cups ( 284 g ) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup ( 85 g ) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 cup ( 227 g ) butter , softened
• 1 ⅓ cups ( 283 g ) sugar , plus more for rolling
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Chocolate and Vanilla Ganache
• Chocolate Vanilla Ganache: (makes about 1 cup):
• ⅓ cup ( 113 g ) honey
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 ounces ( 113 g ) semisweet chocolate , finely chopped (I used chocolate chips)
• 1 ounce ( 28 g ) (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter , cut into pieces and softened

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a small bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium, and add yolks, cream, and vanilla. Scrape sides of bowl. Beat in flour mixture until just combined. The dough will appear quite dry but will come together when you start rolling it into little balls.
2. Roll balls using 2 teaspoons dough for each, and roll each ball in sugar. Place 1 inch apart on parchment or silpat lined baking sheets. Using teaspoon measure, make an indentation in the center of each ball. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are just set, about 10 minutes. (If indentations lose definition, press centers lightly again with the teaspoon measure.)
3. Let cool slightly on baking sheets. Transfer cookies to wire racks, and let cool completely.
4. For the Ganache: Combine honey, cream, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring until honey dissolves. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Place chocolate in a small bowl. Pour cream mixture over chocolate, and let stand for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Add butter, and continue to stir incorporated. Let cool slightly, and then use immediately.
6. Spoon warm ganache into center of each cookie. Let stand until firm, about 15 minutes. Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

Let the center settle before you cut it, or the slices will slump.