Description
These Christmas Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are festive, buttery, and soft cookies with a delightful caramel center. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these sweet treats combine a tender cookie base with gooey caramel, optionally topped with chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling and Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and salt to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly until a uniform dough forms.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Create Thumbprints: Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball to form a well for the caramel.
- Fill with Caramel: Spoon a small amount of caramel sauce into each indentation, filling the center but not overflowing.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, sprinkle chopped nuts on top while the caramel is still warm for extra crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute caramel sauce with homemade caramel or dulce de leche for a personalized touch.
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts from the recipe.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right dough consistency.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent cookies from sticking on the baking sheet.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
