Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies Food

SALTED CARAMEL-PRETZEL THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Put 1/4 cup pretzels in a resealable plastic bag and crush into coarse crumbs with a rolling pin.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk the egg yolks, honey, vanilla and fine salt in a medium bowl, then add to the butter mixture and beat until incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour and pretzel crumbs and beat until just combined.
• Put the remaining 1 1/4 cups pretzels in the resealable bag and roughly crush with the rolling pin; spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough on top and roll into balls, pressing so the pretzels adhere. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets; make a deep indentation in each with your thumb. Bake, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until lightly golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Re-indent with the back of a teaspoon, if necessary. Let cool 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Fill each indentation with dulce de leche and sprinkle with sea salt.

SALTED CARAMEL THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine 2/3 cup butter, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour and salt; beat at low speed until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb or end of wooden spoon handle. (Edges may crack slightly). Bake 7-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool completely.
• Combine 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup butter in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in whipping cream. Cool caramel mixture about 15 minutes.
• Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture into center of each cooled cookie. Let caramel set about 5 minutes. Sprinkle tops of each cookie lightly with sea salt.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. In a shallow bowl, beat egg white. Place pecans in a separate shallow bowl. Dip balls in egg white, then in pecans, patting to help pecans adhere., Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., In a large heavy saucepan, melt caramels with cream over low heat; stir until smooth. Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

COCONUT THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH SALTED CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla.
• With mixer on low, gradually add flour and 1/2 teaspoon table salt, and beat to combine.
• Press dough together in plastic wrap, then roll into 1 1/4-inch balls.
• Dip each ball in beaten egg, and roll in coconut.
• Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, and press an indentation into each with your thumb.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then remove sheets from oven, and re-press indentations. Bake cookies until golden, 9 to 10 minutes more. Let cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Place caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Spoon into indentations in cookies, and sprinkle with sea salt.
• Rewarm caramel if it hardens before all cookies are filled.