Cheesecake Thumbprints Recipes

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add 1/4 cup sugar and a pinch of salt, and beat until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add 1 egg yolk, sour cream, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F, with racks in the upper and lower thirds. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar on medium speed until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and egg yolk; beat to combine. With mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined.
• Shape level tablespoons of dough into balls, and place on prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Using the lightly floured end of a thick wooden spoon handle (or your thumb), make an indentation in the center of each ball.
• Bake 10 minutes; remove from oven and make indentations again. Rotate sheets, return to oven, and bake until edges of cookies begin to turn golden, 7 to 9 minutes more. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Using a small teaspoon, fill the center of each cookie with about 1 teaspoon creamcheese filling, mounding it slightly. Return cookies to the oven, and bake until the filling is firm, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container, layered between waxed or parchment paper, at least 4 hours before serving (cookies can be refrigerated overnight).
• In a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, melt 2 ounces semisweet chocolate; let cool. Follow instructions for Cheesecake Thumbprints, adding melted chocolate to butter mixture along with the egg yolk and salt. Reduce the flour by 3 tablespoons, and whisk with 3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder before adding to the dough. (The edges of these cookies will be firm to the touch when baked)
• The floured handle of a wooden spoon is pressed into each ball of cookie dough to make an indentation.
• A rich cheesecake filling is added to the centers after the cookies are partially baked.

Steps:

• Combine the gelatin with 2 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Pulse the confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a food processor into a fine powder. Add the cream cheese, lemon zest, vanilla and salt and pulse until smooth and creamy. Scrape out the mixture into a large bowl.
• Microwave the gelatin until melted, stirring as needed, about 30 seconds. Add the gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and stir thoroughly to combine. Spread out the mixture in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, stem each strawberry and quarter lengthwise. Cut each quarter into 5 or 6 chunks.
• Put the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Scoop level tablespoons of the cheesecake and roll into balls (dampen your hands with a little water to help). Coat the bottom half of each ball in crumbs, then press the top center in with your thumb to make an indentation. Put a piece of strawberry in each. Garnish each with a mint leaf if using. Store and serve the thumbprints in mini muffin liners. (These cookies can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)