Caramel Cashew Thumbprints Recipes

CARAMEL CASHEW THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until mixed; beat on medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla and egg; beat until mixed, scraping bowl if necessary. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder and salt until dough forms. Stir in cashews.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls 2 inches apart. Press thumb into center of each cookie to make indentation, but do not press all the way to the cookie sheet.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges start to brown. Quickly remake indentation with end of wooden spoon handle if necessary. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
• Place 1 chocolate candy quarter in thumbprint of each warm cookie. Let stand 3 minutes to melt; with tip of small knife, swirl slightly to fill thumbprint. If desired, sprinkle with additional chopped cashews. Cool completely.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL THUMBPRINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. In a shallow bowl, beat egg white. Place pecans in a separate shallow bowl. Dip balls in egg white, then in pecans, patting to help pecans adhere., Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press a deep indentation in center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., In a large heavy saucepan, melt caramels with cream over low heat; stir until smooth. Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon caramel mixture. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.