Friday, April 13, 2012

Goat Cheese Thumbprint Cookies


No matter what I do, I just can't stay away from the goat cheese for long.  It has a creaminess that works so well in baked goods, and I find it always offers this slight tanginess that balances sweet so well.  It has worked beautifully in ice cream, cheesecake,  and even frosting, but would it work in cookies?  I gave my classic thumbprints a goat cheese makeover, and the result was divine!
I mentioned last week that Buttercream Blondie is moving and getting a makeover, and I'm very happy to tell you that we're in the final stretch! It's all been good, but it is definitely a process.  There's a lot of details that go into it, and when you're a perfectionist who tends to be a bit indecisive, you may need a cookie or two to relax yourself!  Luckily these cookies will do the trick.
I find that it's not just the final result, but the process of getting in the kitchen and working on a new recipe that relaxes me.  When that recipe happens to be a cookie, it's even better.  Add some goat cheese to the mix, and it's like hitting the jackpot!  These cookies turned out even better than I expected. The goat cheese created a wonderful silky texture, while keeping the cookie incredibly light. It's not over powering at all, it just adds a subtle layer of flavor that grabs your attention.  To further enhance that bite of the goat cheese, I added some lemon zest.  Just a little bit of zest packs so much flavor, and adds a brightness to the cookie that will make you smile.  A little dollop of blueberry jam ties it all together.  It's kind of like Spring in a cookie!
I also want to remind you guys that I will no longer have google friend connect once I move.  If you would like to stay up to date with all my latest desserts, please subscribe by email so you don't miss anything.  Have a great weekend!



Goat Cheese Thumbprints
  • 4 ounces unsalted butter, room temp
  • 1 & 1/4 cups sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • 2 & 1/2 cups AP flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  1. Cream butter and sugars till light and fluffy.
  2. Add egg and vanilla extract.
  3. Mix in goat cheese.
  4. Sift dries together & mix in till combined.
  5. Scoop cookies using a small scoop and make a small indentation in the center.  
  6. Chill cookies for at least 30 minutes before baking.
  7. Bake at 325 degrees for 14-16 minutes rotating once halfway through.  If they puff up while baking, just poke the centers with a spoon when you take the out of the oven to get that indentation.
  8. Once the cookies have completely cooled, spoon a small amount of blueberry jam in the centers.

41 comments:

  1. How amazing! These look delicious!! :)

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  2. These are super unique and so yummy looking!

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  3. What a neat idea. I can almost taste the slight tang that the goat cheese must add to what is typically a fairly innocuous (though yummy) cookie. These look great!

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    1. Thanks Jan! That slight tang from the goat cheese make them!

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  4. Thumbprint cookies remind me a jelly sandwiches! Which I love! And the fact that these have goat cheese in them has really spiked my interest!

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  5. I love your pictures, I'm ready to attack these cookies :)

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  6. These are incredibly cute! I have so much jam, I don't know what to do with it. I'll make these!

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  7. Anonymous4/13/2012

    What a clever combination. I bet they taste divine. :-)

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  8. Oh, I love goat cheese. These look amazing, Meghan!

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  9. Yum! I love that you added goat cheese! What a great combo!!

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  10. Had to pop in and say that I thought of you when I found out that I am very close to the goat meat capital of the world! I thought of your goat cheese ice cream demo and now I see these awesome cookies. I am sure they will be a hit around here. Glad you are in my circle of friends. Enjoy the weekend!

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    1. Same here Tina! The fact that you thought of me cracked me up! You are so sweet, thank you!

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  11. Meghan, I love this idea! Goat cheese is one of my favorite thing and putting it in a thumb print with jam is genious! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)!

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    1. Thanks girl! I know you love goat cheese as much as I do!

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  12. Hmm. I've never tried to make a dessert with goat cheese but I do love it so much!

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  13. Anonymous4/13/2012

    These are fantastic! I'm with you - I adore goat cheese and your photos are incredible! I could reach through my screen and grab one!

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  14. These cookies sound so delicious. Hope you enjoy your weekend!

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  15. Anonymous4/14/2012

    Hi. Thank you for sharing this recipe. What capacity scoop did you use? 2tsp? 1tbsp? Also, are these cookies soft? Thank you.

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    1. I use a half ounce scoop. The best way I can describe them is that they have the texture of a butter cookie.

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  16. This looks incredible and even though I do very little baking I really want to try these. I love the tanginess of goat cheese

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  17. How interesting and delightful these are! Would have never thought of goat cheese in a cookie...I bet they taste fantastic :)

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  18. I love the things you do with goat cheese! :)

    These cookies are fabulous!

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  19. Wow, these are gorgeous. I must try these. I doubt mine would be this pretty.

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    1. You don't give yourself enough credit! Yours would look fantastic Kim!

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  20. I've only baked with goat cheese once...and the addition made amazing biscuits. I'm certain I'd love it in thumbprints, too :)

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    1. Ooh, I haven't tried it in biscuits yet...

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  21. What a fabulous idea! These look absolutely divine M! :)

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  22. I love goat cheese but I've never made a cookie out of it. I'm in awe of your cookie talent! I must try these.

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  23. I freaking loooooove goat cheese, in everything! Brilliant to add it to cookies!

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  24. What a fantastic idea! I've done cream cheese but never thought of using goat cheese! Def doing this soon!

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  25. I would love these soooooo much better than using cream cheese, I am not a cream cheese fan. They sound wonderful! Thumbprint cookies are a favorite childhood treat:-) Hugs, Terra

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  26. Fine. Just be that way! ;) Sunday after my long run, these are mine (well, truthfully, I'll get maybe 1/2 of one before the swarm swoops over them). Thanks for this, Meghan!

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    1. Lol, thanks Cindy! Hope you guys like them :)

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  27. These look great!! I like thumbprints that allow you to bake the jam while the cookies (e.g. The Baker Man's Classic Thumbprint in One Sweet Cookie) are baking. What do you think?

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