Thumbprints With Dulce de Leche, Nutella or Jam

Thumbprints With Dulce de Leche, Nutella or Jam

36 servings
Thumbprints are the simplest of cookies, but these are packed with flavor from freshly toasted nuts, each paired with its own filling: pecans with dulce de leche (or homemade caramel sauce, if you have some on hand), hazelnuts with Nutella, or pistachios with a festive pool of red currant jelly in the center. Choose a single combination, or make a batch of each. These cookies benefit from forming the thumbprint halfway through baking, but if you can't take the heat, let the dough soften a bit and then press the thumbprints into the dough before baking.

Ingredients

  • ounces/85 grams whole hazelnuts

    whole pecans, or whole pistachios, ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons

    3
  • cups/290 grams all-purpose flour

    plus 2 teaspoons

    2 ¼
  • cup/225 grams unsalted butter

    2 sticks

    1
  • cup/135 grams granulated sugar
    ⅝
  • egg yolks

    at room temperature

    2 large
  • vanilla extract
    1 tsp
  • kosher salt
    ½ tsp
  • dulce de leche

    Nutella or red currant jelly, for filling

    ⅓ c
  • Flaky sea salt

    for sprinkling

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the hazelnuts or pecans out on a small baking sheet and cook in oven, shaking several times, until toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. If using hazelnuts, transfer to a bowl to cool, cover with a folded dish towel, then rub off the skins. (No need to toast the pistachios.)

  2. 2

    Once cooled, transfer the nuts to a food processor, preferably a mini one. Add 2 teaspoons flour and pulse just until nuts are finely ground, being careful not to overprocess.

  3. 3

    In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Add egg yolks and vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until well combined, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl a few times as needed.

  4. 4

    Add ½ cup ground nuts, the salt and the remaining 2 ¼ cups flour; beat on low speed just until combined, then increase speed and beat until dough starts to clump together. Scrape the bowl and fold a few times to make sure everything is well mixed. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a disk, and chill until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

  5. 5

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pinch off small pieces of dough the size of a rounded tablespoon (about 20 grams each) and roll the top half of each one in the remaining ground nuts. Place a few inches apart on parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheets. Chill in the freezer until firm, about 10 minutes.

  6. 6

    Bake for 8 minutes, remove from oven and make a thumbprint in each cookie. Bake until golden brown on the bottom, and nuts are looking toasty but not burned, 6 to 8 minutes longer. Let cool a few minutes on the baking sheets and transfer to wire racks to cool further. While the cookies are still a little warm, fill each one with about ½ teaspoon of filling, and cool completely. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Thumbprints With Dulce de Leche, Nutella or Jam

Thumbprints With Dulce de Leche, Nutella or Jam

36 servings

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About this Recipe

Delicious Thumbprints with Dulce de Leche, Nutella, or Jam

Looking for the ultimate thumbprint cookie recipe to elevate your dessert game? These aren't just any thumbprints; they're a delightful trio of sophisticated flavors, perfect for any occasion, especially as festive Christmas cookies. We take the classic thumbprint cookie and infuse it with rich, toasted nuts and delectable fillings, offering something for every palate.

What makes these thumbprints truly special is the thoughtful pairing of freshly toasted nuts with their ideal complement. Imagine sinking your teeth into a buttery cookie made with pecans, generously filled with creamy dulce de leche. Or perhaps you prefer the rich, chocolatey goodness of hazelnuts combined with smooth Nutella. For a vibrant, festive touch, our pistachio thumbprints burst with the sweet-tart brightness of red currant jelly. You can choose your favorite combination or, even better, bake a batch of all three to create a stunning cookie platter!

One of the unique tips for these cookies is forming the signature "thumbprint" indent halfway through baking. This technique helps the cookie hold its shape beautifully and ensures a perfect well for your chosen filling. However, if you prefer, you can gently press the thumbprint into the softened dough before baking. These dessert cookies are surprisingly simple to make, yet yield an impressive, gourmet result. They're fantastic for holiday gatherings, a cozy snack, or a delightful treat any time you crave a little indulgence. Don't forget a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that perfect finishing touch!

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