Chocolate-Almond Thumbprints

  Desserts

With a piped chocolate center, these special-looking thumbprints are almost too pretty to eat. The ground almonds, almond paste and extract will have fans of those nuts swooning.

Chocolate-Almond Thumbprints

Average Rating: 0

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
YIELD: about 5-1/2 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup ground almonds

  • FILLING:
  • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup almond paste
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 teaspoons meringue powder

Instructions

  • 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extract. Combine the flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  • 2. Place almonds in a shallow bowl. Roll dough into 1-in. balls; roll in almonds. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  • 3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Add almond paste and beat until crumbly. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder until smooth. Pipe filling into cookies, about 1-1/4 teaspoons in each. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 119 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges:
1 starch, 1 fat.

Tags