Description
Indulgent salted caramel thumbprint cookies bring sweet-salty magic to classic dessert lovers. Crisp buttery edges and rich caramel centers make these irresistible treats something you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
Topping:
- 1/4 cup flaky sea salt
- 2 tbsp caramel sauce
Instructions
- Cream softened butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until fully integrated and uniform in texture.
- Gradually fold in flour and salt, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill the prepared dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to firm up and enhance flavor development.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll chilled dough into small balls, then create a gentle indentation in the center of each using your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon.
- Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden and set.
- While cookies cool, prepare caramel by heating granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan until it melts and turns amber, stirring carefully.
- Slowly add heavy cream to the caramelized sugar, whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Remove caramel from heat and stir in butter and sea salt until fully incorporated and glossy.
- Once cookies have cooled slightly, carefully fill the thumb indentations with warm caramel sauce.
- Allow caramel to set for a few minutes, then sprinkle additional flaky sea salt over the top of each cookie.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce for a decorative finish and enhanced flavor profile.
- Let cookies cool completely to allow caramel to stabilize before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, effortless creaming that creates a light, airy cookie texture.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the thumbprint’s distinct shape during baking.
- Use a small spoon or measuring tool to create uniform indentations, ensuring consistent cookie appearance and caramel filling.
- Watch caramel closely while cooking, as it can quickly transition from perfectly golden to burnt, requiring constant attention and gentle stirring.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg