The Story & Intro

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.

And today, mon ami, we’re diving straight into one of my ultimate holiday obsessions: Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies.

I still remember the first winter I spent in the U.S. twinkling Christmas lights, gingerbread baking everywhere, neighbors exchanging cookie tins like they were handwritten love letters. In Paris, we had delicate sablés and buttery galettes, but these thumbprint cookies? Oh là là… they were like tiny buttery nests holding molten gold.

The moment I tasted my very first salted caramel thumbprint cookie, I was hooked. It had everything I adored tender shortbread, a soft center, and that sprinkle of flaky salt that reminded me of French fleur de sel from Brittany. I kept thinking, This is what a hug would taste like if it turned into a cookie.

So every year since, I bake trays and trays of salted caramel thumbprint cookies to share with friends, neighbors, and anyone who needs a little sweetness in their day. And now it’s your turn let’s bake a batch together and fill your home with the kind of buttery, caramel-y aroma that makes everyone ask, “What ARE you making?!”

Let’s get whisking! ✨

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⏱️ Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Chill: 30 minutes
• Bake: 12–14 minutes
• Total: About 1 hour

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Caramel Filling

• 20 soft caramels, unwrapped (like Kraft caramel squares)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

For Finishing

• Flaky sea salt or fleur de sel (highly recommended!)

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream the butter and sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy. It should look like smooth vanilla clouds that’s when you know it’s perfect.

2. Add the egg yolk and vanilla

Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined. These little touches bring richness and warm aroma to every bite.

3. Add the flour and salt

Slowly mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms. It will be slightly crumbly at first keep mixing and it will come together like magic.

4. Chill the dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.

5. Roll and create the “thumbprint”

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Using your thumb (or the back of a small measuring spoon), gently press a small well into the center of each dough ball.

6. Bake

Bake the cookies for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. They’ll still be soft when they come out don’t worry! Let them cool on the sheet for 10 minutes.

7. Melt the caramel

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel squares with heavy cream in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

8. Fill the cookies

Spoon the warm caramel into each thumbprint well. You want just enough to sit comfortably inside not overflowing like caramel lava (unless we’re feeling dramatic 😜).

9. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt

This last sprinkle is what transforms a good cookie into an unforgettable one. Add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie while the caramel is still soft.

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Serving Suggestions

• Pair these cookies with hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or a strong French café noir.
• Serve them warm for the ultimate gooey caramel experience.
• Add them to Christmas cookie boxes they look elegant and taste divine.
• For a fancy twist, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the tops before adding the salt.

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Recipe Card 🍪✨

Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

⏱️ Time

• Total: 1 hour
• Bake: 12–14 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 20 soft caramels
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Flaky sea salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add egg yolk + vanilla.
3. Mix in flour + salt.
4. Chill 30 minutes.
5. Roll into balls; make thumbprints.
6. Bake 12–14 min at 350°F.
7. Melt caramels with cream.
8. Fill wells.
9. Sprinkle with flaky salt.

📝 Notes

• Don’t skip the chilling it keeps cookies thick and tender.
• If caramel thickens, rewarm for 10–15 seconds.
• Swap caramel for chocolate ganache for a fun variation.

🍽️ Nutrition (per cookie, approximate)

• Calories: 120
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 14g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 1g

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Conclusion

There you go, mon ami buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies that bring together the best of French finesse and American holiday charm. These little treats are truly irresistible, capturing that perfect balance of sweet, salty, soft, and chewy.

Whether you’re baking them for holiday gifts, cookie swaps, or just a cozy night in, I hope they fill your kitchen with warmth and your heart with joy. From my Paris-to-America kitchen to yours — bon appétit! ❤️✨