Vanilla Shortbread Salted Caramel Cookies
Vanilla Shortbread Salted Caramel Cookies
These delicate vanilla shortbread cookies have a drizzle of salted caramel and sprinkle of sea salt! Made with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be snacking on these thumbprint cookies in no time.
These delicate vanilla shortbread cookies have a drizzle of salted caramel and sprinkle of sea salt! Made with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be snacking on these thumbprint cookies in no time.
How Long do these cookies take to make?
These cookies don’t take long to make at all!
After you whip up the vanilla shortbread cookie dough, place it in the fridge for about an hour until firm. This will ensure that the cookies don’t spread too much as they bake. Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, and allow them to cool completely.
In the meantime, you’ll whip up the caramel sauce. That takes as little as five minutes flat.
How do you make These Cookies?
These thumbprint cookies only need a few key ingredients, and the salted caramel is super simple, too. This may be one of my easiest cookie recipes of all time… are you ready for them?
INGREDIENTS
butter
sugar
egg yolk
vanilla & almond extract
flour
heavy cream
finishing salt
To Make The Cookies…
The full directions on how to make these delicious salted caramel cookies is below, but here’s the gist of it:
Beat together the sugar, butter, and egg until it’s thoroughly creamy. Add in the dry ingredients and mix again until just incorporated.
Refrigerate the dough for one hour until firm. Then, separate the cookies into 1” balls and press a well in the center of each cookie.
Meanwhile, make the caramel by melting the butter and sugar together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat add in the heavy whipping cream.
Drizzle the caramel into the middle of each cookie. Finish with a sprinkle of salt, and enjoy!
Love This Recipe?
If you made this recipe, leave a comment and rating below! I’d love to hear your feedback, and I’m here to answer any questions you have about this vanilla thumbprint cookie recipe.
Vanilla Shortbread Salted Caramel
Ingredients
- ⅓ c butter, softened
- ¼ c granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- ¾ c flour
- ¼ c brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- 2 tbsp finishing salt, like Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel
Instructions
- Beat the butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the flour, and mix on low speed until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Once the dough is firm, shape it into 1-inch balls. Place the cookie dough balls on a cookie sheet, and use a small spoon to create a well in the center of each cookie.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, until the bottoms of the cookies begin to brown. Cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make your caramel by melting the butter and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, continue to cook the caramel for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove the caramel from heat and stir in the heavy whipping cream. Allow the caramel to cool to room temperature.
- Drizzle the caramel into each cookie and sprinkle the tops generously with finishing salt.
I started salt n sprinkles to show that making good food is both fun and easy to do. My recipes are mostly plant-based, and always delicious. I know you'll find just what you're looking for!