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+ servings
Closeup photo of several Caramel Pretzel Thumbprint Cookies on a plate.
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5 from 2 votes

CARAMEL PRETZEL THUMBPRINT COOKIES

If you're a fan of all things sweet and savory, do I have a cookie for you! Caramel Pretzel Thumbprint Cookies have it ALL going on, and you're going to LOVE them!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Christmas cookies, Dessert - Cookies
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 84kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups broken pretzel sticks
  • 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter at room temperature (I use salted)
  • cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks reserve the whites for another use.
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (13 ounces) dulce de leche
  • extra salt for finishing, optional I used kosher

Instructions

  • -Add the pretzel sticks into a zip lock bag and crush them into coarse crumbs. Set aside.
  • -Preheat your oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
  • -In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy (approximately 3 minutes).
  • -Blend in the egg yolks, honey, and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl to thoroughly incorporate.
  • -At low speed, blend in the flour and salt until you have a semi-firm dough that you can roll into balls the size of walnuts.
  • -Place the crushed pretzels in a small bowl and once you've rolled the cookie dough into balls. Roll the cookie balls into the crushed pretzels (you may need to gently press the pretzels into the dough to get them to stick).
  • -Place the pretzel cookie balls evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (12 per sheet), leaving a few inches between each ball.
  • -Gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie to form a small well.
  • -Bake the cookies for approximately 18-20 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets halfway through baking.
  • -Remove from the oven and, if needed, use a teaspoon to re-indent the well in the center of each cookie while they're still warm and pliable.
  • -Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
  • -Once fully cooled, add a dollop of dulce de leche into the center well of each cookie.
  • -Sprinkle lightly with salt (optional) and you're ready to serve.

Notes

These cookies can be frozen after baking in an air-tight container for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg