Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

The enticing combination of chocolate, honey, and vanilla make these thumbprint cookies a melt-in-your-mouth delectably sweet sensation.

Ingredients

Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup plus 1 tbsp Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa
  
• 2 tsp kosher salt
  
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
  
• 2 large egg yolks
  
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
  
• 2 tsp Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract<br>
• Chocolate and Vanilla Bean Ganache
  
• 1 cup granulated sugar, set aside in a small bowl
  

Ganache

• 1/3 cup honey
  
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
  
• 1 Rodelle Vanilla Bean, split and scraped, pod reserved
  
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
  

Directions

Cookies

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  
• Sift flour, cocoa, and salt into a small bowl.
  
• Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy.
  
• Reduce speed to medium and add the egg yolks, cream, and vanilla extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
  
• Roll ball using 2 tsp dough for each. Roll the balls into the sugar in the bowl.
  
• Place 1 inch apart. With a wine bottle cork (or the handle of a wooden spoon), press gently in the center of each ball to create an indentation.
  
• Bake, rotating sheets half way through, until cookies are set, about 10 minutes.
  
• Let cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire rack to cool.
  

Ganache

• Combine honey, cream, and vanilla seeds and pod in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the honey dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool for 20 minutes.
  
• Place chocolate in a food processor. Return cream mixture to a simmer, and then strain through a fine sieve. Discard solids.
  
• Pour cream mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 1 minute. Process until smooth.
  
• Add butter and continue to process, scraping down sides occasionally, until butter is incorporated. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  

Assembly

• Using a spoon, or pastry bag, place a dollop of the ganache into the indent of the cookies.