Caramel Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies (2024)

I don’t have enough peanut butter on this site and it’s something I plan to change, starting with these Caramel Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies.

Try these classic raspberry thumbprint cookies too.

This soft peanut butter cookie recipe is absolutely wonderful on it’s own, let alone the delicious toppings. They’re crisp on the outside with a slight crunch of granulated sugar and soft and chewy on the inside and they don’t need any chill time.

The toppings are what make these extra special. A simple caramel (made using store-bought caramels) and melted chocolate top them off. Or use Hersheys kisses to make the best peanut butter kisses ever.

The easy pb cookies

These pb cookies really are easy to make – just a handful of everyday ingredients mixed together, rolled into balls, then rolled in granulated sugar before baking.

These cookies bake for just 10-11 minutes and stay nice and soft on the inside while the outside turns crisp.

I like to add the thumbprint before baking then, as soon as they come out of the oven, use a spoon to deepen the dents a little. The reason I do this is to give them a nice big thumbprint so we can add as much filling as possible. They also crack less meaning that luscious filling won’t escape.

If you prefer firmer cookies, just bake them for a few minutes longer.

How to make peanut butter thumbprint cookies

Detailed quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.

1. Dry ingredients: Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Wet ingredients: Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy with an electric mixer, then mix in the peanut butter (photo 1) and remaining wet ingredients.
3. Combine: Combine flour mixture with the wet mixture (photo 2) until you have a thick cookie dough. Shape dough into balls, coat in granulated sugar then place on a baking sheet. Press your thumb down into each to create a dent (photo 3), then bake.
4. Caramel: Make the super easy caramel then fill the indents on the baked cookies (photo 4).
5. Top: Top each one with a little melted chocolate or a Hershey’s kiss (photo 5) and let them cool and set.

The easy caramel filling

This caramel ‘recipe’ is one I use a lot. I’ve made caramel from scratch a number of times and I love making candy but even I sometimes have issues with my caramel not working and end up wasting ingredients. This simple filling is great, because someone else (thanks Werthers) has done all the hard work for you.

I use 250g / 8.8oz of Werthers chewy caramels and add ¼ cup of cream, then just melt it together in a saucepan over low heat. Once the mixture is smooth it’s ready to use.

This caramel filling has everything going for it – quick and easy to make, it works every time and tastes amazing.

Variations

• Salted: you could use salted butter OR add ¼ to ½ a teaspoon of salt to the caramel.
• Peanuts: add a crunch by sprinkling some peanuts over the top at the end.
• No fillings: you can use this peanut butter cookie recipe on it’s own without making them thumbprint cookies and filling them. Just scoop and roll, then place straight on the trays. If you like you can use a fork to make the classic criss cross pattern on top.
• Peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies: You can leave off the chocolate and caramel and add some raspberry jam or strawberry jam to the center of each cookie instead. The classic pb&j flavour.

Storing instructions for pb cookies

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature for 7-10 days. If it’s very hot where you are, consider keeping them in the fridge so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

The cookies (unfilled) can be frozen, then thawed at room temperature before filling.

The cookie dough can be frozen too. Wrap it twice in plastic wrap and then store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. If you like, you can shape the cookies first, then freeze them on a baking tray until firm. Once firm wrap and place in an airtight container.

IF YOU TRY THIS peanut butter thumbprints recipe,please take a moment to leave a rating and comment below. I love hearing from you, and it helps other readers too!

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