Indulge your sweet tooth with a delightful twist on a classic treat—Salted Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies! These irresistible cookies combine the rich flavors of chocolate and caramel, creating a heavenly experience that will leave you craving more. With a soft, buttery texture and a gooey salted caramel center, each bite is a perfect harmony of sweetness and a hint of salt. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to impress. Ready to elevate your dessert game? Let’s dive into this easy-to-follow recipe that will make your kitchen smell divine!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Using the back of a teaspoon or your thumb, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie dough ball.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and immediately re-press the centers if the indentations have puffed up during baking.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, fill the center of each cookie with salted caramel sauce, using a small spoon or piping bag.
- Sprinkle a small amount of coarse sea salt over the caramel filling for added flavor contrast.
- Let the caramel set for about 10-15 minutes before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing results. This helps create a light and fluffy dough.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Indentation Technique: If you find that the cookie centers puff up while baking, gently press them down again with your thumb right after removing them from the oven to maintain that perfect thumbprint shape.
- Chill the Dough: For even better texture, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances the flavors.
- Caramel Filling: If you want a more decadent treat, warm the salted caramel sauce slightly before filling the cookies for a smoother application.
- Storage Tips: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week—if they last that long!
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add nuts or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate for a different flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the caramel.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 45mg
