Trust me; these are truly delicious, and one can’t have just one!
These mouthwatering treats are straightforward to make and are very versatile too. You can fill the center indents with any filling of your choice, making these cookies even more irresistible by adding extra flavors. The thumbprint cookies are so-called because they have an indentation in the center, purposely made for adding a flavored filling. The indent is made either with the help of a tart tamper, the back of a spoon, or the end of a rolling pin. You can even carry Dulce De Leche Thumbprint Cookies when traveling, as they are completely fuss-free and easy to pack.
Easy to make Make ahead recipe Scalable recipe Extremely versatile The filling options are endless Kids-friendly recipe!
The best part is that these thumbprint cookies can be made in large batches and stored to relish later.
Cornstarch — Combined with the all-purpose flour, cornstarch produces rich and tender cookies that are super delicious and well-textured. Salt — A pinch of salt balances the rich flavors and the delicious sweetness. Butter — Softened butter is an essential ingredient that lends richness and buttery flavors to the Dulce De Leche Thumbprint Cookies and makes them super delicious. Vanilla essence — This adds a caramelly richness and warm flavors to the thumbprint cookies. Dulce-de-Leche — This flavored caramel sauce brings fun to the recipe. You can substitute it with jam, custard, or any spread of your choice.
Measure the flour — Correct measurement of the ingredients always yields excellent results. So, measure the flour correctly. More of it will make crumbly and dry Dulce De Leche cookies, so make sure the measurement is correct. Use fine sugar — Fine sugar absorbs extra moisture from the other ingredients and lends a tender and flaky texture to the cookies. Upon melting, it helps the cookies spread decently and takes a darker tinge and crispier texture. Substitutes for vanilla essence — Almond makes a beautiful substitute for vanilla essence in this recipe. Chill the dough before baking — When chilled, the cookie dough retains its shape much better because of the butter present in the dough. Chill the dough until it is perfectly firm and the butter doesn’t melt when the cookies are placed into the oven for baking. Color of the cookies — These cookies don’t turn golden brown like other cookies but stay ivory in color due to the baking soda’s absence. Baking soda is generally added to accelerate the browning process of the cookies. However, the base of these delicious cookies gets slightly browned as they are in direct contact with the hot baking sheet.
For perfect indents — The cookies can have perfect dents with the help of a spatula end; always press them down with a back of a spoon or with a tart tamper for perfect indents. You can even prefer thumb imprints, but you may sometimes end up with distorted-shaped Dulce De Leche Thumbprint Cookies. Prep before baking — Always place the cookies on a cool cookie sheet at room temperature to prevent them from spreading before baking. This is a secret tip for just about every cookie recipe. Also, ensure your cookie sheet has cooled completely before placing your next batch of cookies, as they will start melting even before baking. Line the baking tray with parchment paper — Always line it with parchment paper to easily remove cookies when baked. Refrain from over-baking — Over-baking results in dry and browned cookies, so prevent over-baking. Just bake them for the mentioned duration and enjoy the perfectly baked cookies. Remove the cookies after resting — Although it is tempting to eat the thumbprint cookies right away, let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before lifting them from the baking tray. The cooling time gives the butter and sugar time to meld together and harden, providing these cookies with a firm texture. Gently lift each cookie and transfer it immediately onto the cooling rack. Let them cool completely, and then store them in an air-tight container. The dulce-de-leche thumbprint cookies taste better when cooled. Perfect gifting option — These melt-in-mouth dulce-de-leche thumbprint cookies are ideal for the festive season. Just wrap these homemade cookies, and these make an excellent gift for a holiday cookie exchange. Variations — Instead of a Dulce-de-Leche spread, you can fill the thumbprint with just about anything. Some great options include –
Melted chocolate Chocolate ganache Lemon curd Caramel Sauce Nutella Marmalade Any kind of jam-like raspberry jam, strawberry jam, or mixed berry jam. Just make sure you use a thick jam, as a runny jam will ruin your thumbprint cookies.
Follow the Step-by-step instructions to make the best Dulce De Leche Thumbprint Cookies
The recipe card below provides pictorial instructions to reach successful baking. So, let’s gather our ingredients and take the plunge! And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.
