Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are a classic shortbread cookie rolled in pecans, baked & filled with warm caramel. Buttery Christmas cookies that everyone loves seeing at holiday cookie exchanges!

Classic thumbprint cookies filled with jam are wonderful, but my family absolutely LOVES it when I make these Caramel Thumbprint Cookies instead! The crunchy pecans coating the outside of the cookie, paired with the buttery cookies and sweet caramel make these truly amazing.

Ingredients for Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

Butter and shortening: Using ½ cup butter gives cookies a great flavor and ½ cup shortening provides a light, more delicate texture, so I absolutely love using a combination of both in cookies!

Brown sugar: ½ cup brown sugar, packed, contributes moisture and a mild caramel flavor that complements the center filling.

Eggs: Provide structure and bind the dough with 2 egg yolks (separated from egg whites) in this cookie dough.

Extract: 1 tsp vanilla extract enhances flavor without overpowering the caramel or nuts.

Flour: Add 2 cups all-purpose flour is the cookie’s base structure.

Salt: Balance sweetness and intensify the other flavors by adding ½ tsp salt.

Pecans: You need 1 ½ cup pecans. Use halves or chopped because you’ll actually need to chop them more fine than the chopped pecans come when you buy them from a store anyways!

Caramel: ½ cup of caramels are needed, I like to use homemade caramel or melted caramel bits.

How do you make Caramel Pecan Thumbprint Cookies?

Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are amazing! To make, first preheat the oven to 350º and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. I used an 11×17 jelly roll pan.

Gather all the ingredients together, making sure your butter is softened and that your egg yolks are separated from the egg whites. Use an electric mixer to mix the butter, shortening, egg yolks and vanilla together. Combine the flour and salt together and then combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix in your electric mixer.

Place the egg whites in one bowl and the chopped pecans in another.  Using a small cookie scoop, make dough balls out of 2 teaspoon sized portions of dough.  Then you’ll dip the cookie dough ball in the egg whites and then roll it in the nuts. This is how you get that nutty outer layer! Put the ball on the parchment lined cookie sheet, setting the cookies 1 inch away from each other. Use a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon to indent each cookie. Don’t worry if the indents don’t look perfect or if the cookies crack a bit- just press the sides back together! You’ll actually “fix” the indents again after the cookies bake.

Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes.  Let the cookies cool a few minutes, then use that same ½ teaspoon to re-indent each cookie, pressing sides back together to make them more rounded, if needed. Fill each cookies with warm caramel and then let them fully cool to set. The caramel will take about 2-3 hours before it sets enough where you can stack the cookies.

If you use a package of Caramel Bits: pour the caramel bits into a microwave-safe dish and add 2 TBSP milk. Microwave for about 1 minute 20 seconds. Bits won’t necessarily look melted, but once you begin stirring them, they’ll run smooth. If they don’t, put back in the microwave for another 10 seconds.

How long are these Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies good for?

These thumbprint cookies stay fresh for about 5 days at room temperature when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and maintain their soft texture.

If you want to extend their freshness, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

You can also freeze Jam Thumbprint Cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Make sure you first let them sit on the countertop for 2-3 hours before stacking them in the airtight container, so that the caramel has enough time to set. Store each layer with a piece of parchment paper in between so that the cookies will not stick together and maintain their prettiness when defrosted.

Print

Pecan Caramel Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword thumbprint cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Total Time 32 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 eggs yolks separated from whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup warm caramel

Instructions

• Preheat oven 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Mix butter, shortening, brown sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla thoroughly with an electric mixer.
• Whisk flour and salt together in a separate bowl. Combine dry ingredients with butter mixture and mix until combined.
• Beat egg white with fork. Scoop 2 teaspoon sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Dip dough balls into egg whites. Transfer to chopped pecans and coat thoroughly.
• Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheet. Use a 1/2 tsp measuring spoon to indent the middle of each cookie dough ball.
• Bake 10 – 12 minutes. Once you remove the tray of cookies from the oven, use the 1/2 tsp measuring spoon and indent each cookie again, pressing sides back together when needed, if cookies cracked.
• Fill each cookie with warm caramel. Let cool to set.

Video

Notes

If you use a package of Caramel Bits: pour the caramel bits into a microwave-safe dish and add 2 TBSP milk. Microwave for about 1 minute 20 seconds. Bits won’t necessarily look melted, but once you begin stirring them, they’ll run smooth. If they don’t, put back in the microwave for another 10 seconds. 

Makes 3.5- 4 dozen thumbprint cookies.

What are the ideal proportions of butter to shortening for Caramel Thumbprint Cookies?

Use about equal parts butter and shortening for the best result. This combination provides a rich flavor from the butter and a light, delicate texture from the shortening. Adjust slightly based on your texture preference, but 50/50 is a good starting point.

Can brown sugar be substituted with white sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute white sugar for brown sugar. However, brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that white sugar lacks. Using white sugar may result in a less chewy texture and a milder taste.

How do you achieve a firm set for the caramel filling?

Choose caramel that firms up as it cools, such as homemade caramel or caramel bits specifically designed to harden. Allow the cookies to cool completely before handling to ensure the caramel sets properly and holds its shape.

How do you soften butter?

I like to soften butter by using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need the full 1/2 cup cube of butter, you can leave it in the paper wrapper, otherwise, place the amount of butter you need in a glass or porcelain bowl. I use the lowest defrost setting on my microwave and just let it run for 20 seconds. Check the butter and see how soft it is by pressing it with a rubber scraper. If it is still not soft to the touch, meaning it doesn’t indent when you press into it, let it warm for another 5-10 seconds. Watch it closely! Butter softens very quickly.

Enjoy more of our favorite Thumbprint Cookie recipes here:

• Spiced Apple Thumbprint Cookies are cinnamon-spiced treats topped with gooey apple filling and a drizzle of caramel. Perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy, fall-inspired dessert!
• Our recipe for Strawberry Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are soft, buttery treats filled with sweet strawberry jam and topped with a tangy lemon glaze. Each bite combines bright citrus and berry flavors for a perfectly zesty and refreshing cookie.
• Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies are made with pistachio pudding mix, almond extract, and mini chocolate chips. Rolled in chopped pecans for a nutty crunch and filled with creamy vanilla frosting, they’re a nostalgic and indulgent cookie everyone will love.
• Filled with strawberry jam or lemon curd, these Poppy Seed Thumbprint Cookies offer a delightful pop of fruity flavor in every bite!
• Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are festive treats studded with crushed candy canes and filled with rich chocolate fudge. Perfect for the holidays, they combine refreshing peppermint crunch with smooth, decadent chocolate!

Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are buttery shortbread treats rolled in pecans, baked to golden perfection, and filled with rich caramel. A timeless favorite for Christmas cookie trays and holiday exchanges!

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