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chocolate cookies filled with caramel laying on a surface sprinkled with cocoa powder.
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5 from 5 votes

Salted Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Bake up some delicious and gooey caramel chocolate cookies. The soft thumbprint cookie provides a great vessel for the sweet and salty caramel sauce that's finished with coarse salt for garnish.
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Resting3 hours 20 minutes
Total Time4 hours 14 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 cookies
Calories: 335kcal
Author: Jessica Mode

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cookies

For the caramel

  • 1 cup (198 grams) granulated sugar large impurities removed
  • ½ cup (114 grams) heavy cream
  • 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • coarse sea salt for garnish

Instructions

For the cookies

  • Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Add butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar to a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat together on medium speed for 2 minutes using a handheld electric or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until combined.
  • Scrape down the side of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches. Mix on medium-low speed until fully incorporated. The dough will be slightly sticky. Wrap cookie dough in parchment paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to overnight until the dough has firmed up.
  • Meanwhile, pour 3 tablespoons (40 grams) of granulated sugar on a plate and set aside.
  • Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Remove dough from the refrigerator and form into 2 tablespoon balls. Roll the outside of the dough balls in the granulated sugar. Place dough 1-2 inches (2.5 - 5 centimeters) on a large baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Use your thumb or the end of a spatula to make an indent in each cookie. If the dough begins to crack on the outside, simply use your hands to push it back together.
  • Bake on the middle rack for 12-14 minutes, or until cookie edges are set. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. If any of the indents have puffed up, use a small spoon to push the indent down. Transfer to a cooling rack to fully cool.

For the caramel

  • In a medium heavy bottom saucepan, add sugar and ¼ cup (56 grams) of water. Cover with a lid and let boil over medium heat until sugar is completely melted about 2-4 minutes.
  • Remove lid and continue cooking until the sugar begins to darken. Do NOT stir the caramel at this point. If it appears to be burning, you can gently swirl it in the pan. Once the sugar reaches an amber-colored liquid, about 4-6 minutes later, remove from heat.
  • Stir in heavy cream (be careful, the cream will bubble and slightly splatter). Once the heavy cream is incorporated, add butter one cube at a time, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until the caramel is smooth. Allow caramel to cool slightly to room temperature.
  • Using a spoon, gently fill each thumbprint hole with caramel, about 1-2 teaspoons each. If desired, sprinkle the top of the caramel with a pinch of coarse sea salt. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow the caramel to firm up.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Video

Notes

Make ahead: Make cookie dough ahead of time. Shape the dough into balls and freeze (unfilled) for up to 2 months.
Extra caramel? Store leftover caramel in the fridge to use as a topping or filling for another dessert. Caramel will last for 2 weeks.
Freezer storage: Store baked and filled cookies in the freezer for up to 2 months. Place in an airtight container in between parchment paper.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg