Quick Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

I stumbled upon this combination after trying a caramel coconut dessert at a local event and knew I had to recreate those flavors at home. These Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies bring together a tender buttery base with a rich, gooey center that feels special enough for any holiday platter.

You might think making thumbprints is complicated, but I promise the process is actually quite therapeutic and simple. The toasted coconut coating adds a wonderful crunch that balances the smooth salted caramel filling perfectly.

Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

The texture contrast in these Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies makes them stand out from standard holiday baking. I love how the crispy exterior gives way to a soft crumb and sticky caramel middle.

You can easily prepare the dough ahead of time, which saves so much stress during busy weeks. My family always requests a second batch before the first one even disappears from the cooling rack.

Salted caramel is a flavor profile that feels sophisticated but remains comforting and familiar to everyone. You will appreciate how the coarse sea salt cuts through the sweetness to create a perfectly balanced bite.

If you love unique flavor combinations, you should definitely try my Savory Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe for another sophisticated treat. For peanut butter lovers, the Savory Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe offers that same satisfying sweet and salty balance.

Everything You Need for Perfect Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Gather these simple pantry staples to get started:

• Sweetened shredded coconut: adds texture and sweetness to the exterior coating.
• Large egg: helps bind the dough and adhere the coconut coating firmly.
• Unsalted butter: keep it cold and diced for the right pastry-like texture.
• Granulated sugar: provides the necessary sweetness for the cookie base.
• Fine sea salt: balances the flavors within the dough itself.
• Coconut extract: boosts the tropical flavor profile significantly.
• All-purpose flour: forms the structure of these tender cookies.
• Soft caramels: melt down easily to create the rich filling.
• Heavy cream: thins the caramel slightly so it stays soft after cooling.
• Coarse sea salt: finishes the cookie with a crucial savory crunch.

My Method for Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Let’s get baking with these simple steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and place the coconut in a separate bowl for the coating station.
3. Mix the cold cubed butter, sugar, and fine salt in a stand mixer on medium-low speed until combined.
4. Add the coconut extract and slowly mix in the flour until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
5. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll them in the egg, then coat them thoroughly in the shredded coconut.
6. Place balls on baking sheets, press an indentation into the center of each, and freeze for 10 minutes or chill for 30 minutes.
7. Bake one sheet at a time for 10 minutes, remove to re-press the indentation, then bake 6 to 9 minutes more until golden.
8. Melt the caramels and cream in the microwave in 30-second intervals until smooth and pourable.
9. Spoon the warm caramel into the cookie indentations and sprinkle immediately with coarse sea salt before it sets.

Pro Tips for Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Keep your butter cold and diced rather than softened to achieve the correct tender texture for these Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies. I find that warm butter causes the cookies to spread too much and lose their shape during baking.

Press the coconut firmly onto the dough balls rather than just rolling them loosely to ensure good coverage. You want a thick coating that toasts up beautifully golden brown in the oven.

Make sure to re-indent the centers immediately after the first ten minutes of baking while the dough is still soft. This ensures there is plenty of room for that generous pool of caramel filling later.

Best Ways to Serve Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

I like to serve these Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprint Cookies on a white platter to let the golden toasted color really pop. You can pair them with hot coffee or tea to balance the rich sweetness of the caramel.

These store beautifully at room temperature in an airtight container for several days. You will find the caramel stays pleasantly soft while the coconut coating retains its satisfying texture.