The flavor of salted dulce de leche tops these buttery melt in your mouth shortbread cookies. These Salted Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies make great holiday gifts or a simple family treat.
Salted Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies
This recipe is adapted from my Lemon Thumbprint Cookies. Everyone loved the texture of those cookies so much, so I decided to make another winning flavor.
The shortbread cookie recipe is simple but requires chilling. Make sure to allow yourself a least an hour chill time.
The dough can be made ahead and chilled overnight if that’s more convenient. You can read more helpful tips in the post for the lemon cookies stated above.
Dulce de Leche is a caramel-like spread made from slowly cooking sweetened milk until it thickens and becomes dark in color. It’s also known as milk candy. I love using it in tres leches cake.
For today’s cookies, I used a store-bought container of prepared dulce de leche. If you prefer to make your own, here is a great tutorial to follow.
Dulce de Leche is very sweet and just like caramel, the flavor pairs well with salt. It almost helps to offset the extreme sweetness.
I used only a light sprinkling of sea salt and it was just enough to give a nice balance between sweet and salty.
The cookies need to bake for only 10 to 12 minutes. The bottom edges should become lightly browned.
Be careful not to overbake them. The texture should be firm enough to offer a light crumb but soft enough to melt in your mouth.
Once the cookies have cooled, sprinkle the tops with sea salt and enjoy!
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Salted Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies
The flavor of salted dulce de leche top these buttery melt in your mouth shortbread cookies. These thumbprint cookies make great holiday gifts or a simple family treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg yolk.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir with a whisk. Gradually stir the flour into the butter and mix just until blended.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Shape the dough into 1 tablespoon size balls and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, press a slight indention in the center of each ball. Take care not to press too far down. If the edges crack while making the indention, simply pinch them back together to smooth them out. Otherwise, cracks are okay.
- Fill the indents with 1/4 teaspoon dulce de leche. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottom edges are lightly browned.
- Cool the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle the tops lightly with sea salt.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 17 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 83 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 27mg Sodium: 769mg Carbohydrates: 7g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 5g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 1g
Tried this recipe? Rate the recipe below and share your photos on Instagram! Mention @introvertbaker or tag #introvertbaker! Make sure your account is set to public or I won’t see it.
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
These cookies look fantastic! Love Dulce de Leche too! I’m all over these babies!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Jen, these cookies are gorgeous! I love the salt on top and I bet they taste amazing!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Jen, I LOVE these thumbprint cookies!!!! I’ve made my own Dulce de Leche ONCE! and it was a task! but well worth it! 🙂
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
What a pretty cookie! I would be happy to receive a plate of these cookies during the holidays 🙂
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Oh, gosh. I’d be in BIG trouble around these thumbprints, pretty much for the simple reason of the fact that I would NOT be able to stop eating them! Crushing big time on that dulce de leche filling!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love that you made thumbprint cookies filled with salted dulce de leche! I have a big weakness for both so combining the two is such a great idea! They look amazing, Jen!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
I’m drooling! Love the “melt in your mouth” description. They sound delicious!!
Mir says
Ooooooh, do these look amazing. Those little salt flecks on top just make it even better. These are definitely my favorite thumbprints ever!
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen says
These cookies definitely are the winner! I mean, dulce de leche. Salted. I’m sold.
Danielle says
I love thumbprint cookies, but I’ve never thought to use dulce de leche! This is genius, Jen!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
I want, I want, I want! These caught my eye on G+ and I just had to come over and check it out. Jen, I adore shortbread and that dulce de leche thumbprint? Magical!
Mira says
I loved the lemon thumbprint cookies and I’m sure I’ll love these! Perfect! Pinned!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
I love Dulce De Leche, these cookies are calling my name!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These cookies are stunning! Loooooove that dulce de leche 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a gorgeous cookie, Jen! Dulce de leche is my favorite, especially when it’s combined in delicious desserts like this. I love that these are easy to whip up, too! Just perfect!