CHOCOLATE-ALMOND THUMBPRINTS

Chocolate-Almond Thumbprints image

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. -Jessie Apfel, Berkeley, CA

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield about 5-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 15

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

Steps:

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., 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., 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 : Calories 119 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 53mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.