Almond Joy Thumbprint Cookies

• Vegetarian

• Refrigerated

  • 1 Egg, large

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 package Chocolate fudge pudding mix, instant dry
  • 1/4 cup Flour, white
  • 1 package Fudge brownie mix
  • 1/2 cup Milk chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable shortening

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 1/2 tsp Coconut oil

• Nuts & Seeds

  • 1/2 1 (7 ounce bag sweetened flaked coconut, sweetened flaked
  • 1/4 tsp Coconut extract
  • 1 Diamonds of california whole almonds

• Dairy

  • 3/4 cup Butter, unsalted
  • 4 oz Cream cheese, full-fat
  • 1 tbsp Milk

Found on chelseasmessyapron.com

Description

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl fitted to a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth. They must both be at room temperature -- do not melt or soften in the microwave of your cookies will flatten more/ be less thick. Just leave out for about 45 minutes to an hour and theyll be perfect!
• Beat in the large egg and vanilla.
• Beat in the pudding mix (do not prepare), and flour.
• Beat in the fudge brownie mix. It will be EXTREMELY thick. This is intended; it might seem like its not coming together, but keep mixing, it will.
• Pack the dough into a full 1 tablespoon measuring spoon and then roll into a ball and transfer that ball of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat liner. The cookies should be pretty small like a typical thumbprint cookie (Ive tested this recipe a few times & they always make right around 54-58 thumbprint sized cookies).
• Bake for 7-10 minutes. Slightly under-baking these cookies gives them an awesome taste and texture like ultra fudge-y brownies so err on the side of slightly under-baking.
• When the cookies come out of the oven, press the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon into the center of the cookies.
• Allow to completely cool before frosting.
• In a large bowl, beat together the butter and shortening until smooth. Beat in the extracts, a pinch of salt, and powdered sugar.
• Add in the milk to get to desired consistency -- you want it to be on the thick side. Fold in the coconut until well combined.
• Frost the cookies generously and evenly to use all the frosting equally between the cookies.
• Press an almond into the frosting in the center of each of the cookies.
• In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the oil. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 10 seconds until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Transfer the melted chocolate into a plastic bag and cut off the very tip.
• Pipe that melted chocolate generously over top of the cookies. Allow to set.