Oreo Cheesecake Filled Fudgy Chocolate Thumbprints

Fudgy chocolate cookies filled with a no-bake Oreo cheesecake....With this mini confection, I offer you a new way to enjoy a cookie cake!

DAIRY
YIELDS APPROXIMATELY 4 DOZEN COOKIES

FUDGY THUMB PRINTS

• 2 oz (55 g) Noblesse or other good-quality chocolate (not milk chocolate)
• ¹⁄₂ cup (1 stick/50 g) butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ¹⁄₂ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• ¹⁄₂ tsp baking powder
• ¹⁄₄ tsp salt

NO-BAKE OREO CHEESECAKE FILLING

• 2 oz (55 g) good-quality white chocolate or two-toned Harmony chocolate, chopped finely • ½ cup + 2 Tbsp heavy cream, divided
• 1 12-oz (340- g) block J & J Cream Cheese
• ³⁄₄ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ¹⁄₄ cup crushed Oreo cookie crumbs

1. Prepare the fudgy thumbprints: Break chocolate into small pieces and microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring well each time, until completely melted. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl with the cookie paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla, scraping the sides occasionally, until smooth. Add melted chocolate and beat until combined. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure all is blended well.
3. Transfer the dough to plastic wrap. Seal well and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Shape dough into 1-inch (2¹⁄₂-cm) balls (a small scoop works well). Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Make an indentation in the center of each ball with your thumb. Bake for 7–8 minutes. Remove from oven to cool. If necessary, press down on indentation while cooling.
6. Prepare the cheesecake filling: In a medium bowl, combine chopped chocolate with 2 Tbsp heavy cream. Microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring well each time, until mixture is smooth and completely melted. Set aside.
7. Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined. While beating, slowly add in the melted chocolate mixture. Add in remaining ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream and beat until you have stiff peaks. Beat in Oreo cookie crumbs.
8. Once thumbprints are cool, pipe or spoon cheesecake filling into the center of each thumbprint.

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 692)