Description
Irresistible caramel-walnut chocolate thumbprint cookies blend rich chocolate with buttery caramel and crunchy walnuts. Chocolate lovers will find pure bliss in this elegant dessert that offers comfort and indulgence with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cups (350 grams) sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 ½ cups (297 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (57 grams) chopped toasted walnuts
- ½ cup (85 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp (14 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 milliliters) bourbon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl to create a uniform mixture.
- Cream Base: Blend butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, developing a pale, creamy texture.
- Bind Dough: Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a cohesive cookie foundation.
- Form Cookies: Gradually add flour mixture, gently combining to form a smooth dough. Shape into uniform balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Create Thumbprints: Using a floured measuring spoon, press a gentle indentation into the center of each cookie ball.
- Chill and Bake: Refrigerate cookies for 30 minutes, then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until edges turn golden brown, approximately 16-19 minutes.
- Refresh Thumbprints: Immediately after removing from oven, delicately reshape the cookie indentations if needed.
- Prepare Caramel: In a saucepan, dissolve sugar in water over moderate heat, cooking until it reaches a deep golden color.
- Finish Caramel: Whisk in heavy cream, bourbon, salt, and butter, creating a smooth, glossy sauce. Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Fill and Serve: Once cookies have cooled completely, generously fill each thumbprint with the warm caramel-nut mixture, ensuring even distribution and maximum flavor.
Notes
- Chill for Perfection: Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes helps cookies maintain shape and prevents spreading during baking.
- Thumbprint Technique: Use a floured measuring spoon to create uniform indentations, gently reshaping if they flatten during baking.
- Caramel Consistency Matters: Watch sugar carefully while caramelizing, aiming for a deep golden color without burning to ensure rich, complex flavor.
- Nut and Chocolate Balance: Stir walnuts and chocolate chips into warm caramel just before filling cookies to create a harmonious, gooey texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg