Ganache Thumbprints Recipes

Steps:

• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in crushed candies, if using. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing each 1 inch apart.
• Press a well into the center of each using your finger. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from oven, and press well again with handle end of a wooden spoon. Bake until firm, 7 to 9 minutes more.
• Let cool completely. Spoon ganache into thumbprints.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, hazelnut meal and a pinch of salt
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, light brown sugar and granulated sugar together until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract; beat once more. In 2 additions, add the dry ingredient mixture, scraping down the bowl if needed, until completely combined. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• Scoop scant tablespoonfuls of dough, roll into balls and arrange on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Make an indentation, a thumbprint, in the center of each ball of dough using your thumb and/or the help of your index finger. Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately reinforce the thumbprints using the end of a wooden spoon. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheets.
• While the cookies are cooling, make the ganache. Place the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl. Add the heavy cream to a small saucepan set over medium-high flame and heat until the cream is scalding. Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and allow to stand for 1 minute. Stir until smooth.
• When the cookies are cool, add a scant teaspoon of chocolate ganache to each thumbprint. Top with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt. If transporting, allow the chocolate to set for 1 hour.

Steps:

• Pour gently simmered cream over chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let stand until mixture is spoonable, about 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Add the pistachios to the bowl of a food processor and process until ground into a slightly coarse, but even crumb (it should resemble almond flour and hold together briefly when pressed between your fingers). Measure out ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons of the ground pistachio and transfer to a medium bowl, reserving the remaining 2 tablespoons for garnish.
• Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the bowl with the ground pistachios and whisk to combine.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add the egg and orange zest and beat until evenly distributed.
• Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in 3 additions, mixing after each addition until just incorporated. Finish bringing the dough together with your hands, if needed.
• Use a ½-ounce scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Press the tip of your thumb or the back of a wooden spoon into the center of each cookie to create a deep well, being careful not to press through the cookie entirely. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the freezer for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for about 1 hour, until firm.
• Arrange the racks in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes, turning once halfway through, until puffed and golden on the bottoms. The thumbprints will lose some of their definition during baking, so use the back of a teaspoon measure to press into indentation immediately after removing from the oven, then let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• While the cookies cool, make the ganache: Add the chocolate to a medium bowl. Microwave the cream on medium power for 45-60 seconds, until just steaming. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let sit for 1-2 minutes to give the chocolate time to melt. Add the corn syrup, if using, then whisk until completely smooth. Transfer the ganache to a piping bag or zip-top bag.
• Once the cookies have cooled, pipe (or spoon) about 1½ teaspoons of ganache into each thumbprint. Alternatively, use a teaspoon to spoon the ganache onto the cookies. Garnish each cookie with the reserved pistachio flour or a single whole pistachio, if desired. Let the ganache set for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!