Caramel Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

These Pecan Thumbprint Cookies have a spiced cookie base that’s topped with a pecan half, caramel sauce, and then drizzled with melted chocolate.

Creating These Unique Christmas Cookies

Every year it never seems like there is enough time to bake all of the Christmas cookies that I want to try. We have our old favorites, but there is always something new that I have on the list to try.

Gingersnaps are one favorite Christmas cookie recipe that has been a tradition in my family since childhood. I love the rich molasses and ginger-spiced dough and the soft cookies.

These caramel pecan thumbprint cookies are a twist on the old classic Gingersnap recipe. They’re still rolled in sugar, making the outsides sparkling, but in the center is pressed a pecan half and a pool of caramel.

Then, melted chocolate is drizzled on top. Need I say more?

Ingredients in Caramel Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

To make these caramel thumbprint cookies with nuts, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Spices
• Baking soda
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Molasses
• Egg
• Granulated sugar
• Pecan halves
• Caramel toppings
• Semi-sweet baking chocolate

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Caramel Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

These pecan chocolate caramel thumbprint cookies require some extra assembly, but they’re so easy to make!

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Next, add the molasses and the egg.
3. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, 1 cup at a time.
4. After the dough has come together, place it on a large sheet of plastic wrap and press the dough into a flat disc. Wrap completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
5. Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Then, roll all sides of each ball in granulated sugar.
6. Place the prepared balls 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake the cookies until the edges just begin to brown.
8. Remove from the oven and immediately press a pecan half into center of each cookie. Then, top each pecan with 1/4 teaspoon of the caramel.
9. Remove the cookies from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Once cool, drizzle the pecan thumbprints with melted chocolate.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Can the Cookies Be Made in Advance?

Yes, the caramel pecan thumbprint cookies can be baked and then stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.

These are great for gifting since they’re small and sturdy cookies!

Can the Raw Cookie Dough Be Frozen?

Yes, the dough for these pecan chocolate caramel thumbprint cookies freezes very well, just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, if you like to prepare batches of dough ahead of time.

You can also follow my instructions on How to Freeze Cookie Dough. You will need to allow the balls of frozen dough to thaw before baking, otherwise the cookies will not spread enough.

Tips for Making Thumbprint Cookies with Nuts

• You can use any store-bought dessert caramel sauce to make the pecan caramel thumbprint cookies. Or, you can try this Homemade Caramel Sauce.
• To get a neat looking drizzle, I like to use a white plastic squeeze bottle. You can easily find this at a specialty cake shop or in many craft stores near the baking aisle. It makes a cleaner line of chocolate and, I think, an easier clean up.
• This chocolate caramel thumbprint cookie recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies, but they are small.

More Unique Christmas Cookies:

If you like cherry and chocolate, you should definitely add these Cherry Blossom Cookies to your Christmas baking list! 

For a fun, unique twist on gingerbread cut out cookies, try these Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies!

White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies are easy to make and are great for gifting around the holidays.

These Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies are flavored with chocolate three ways. They’re chewy around the edges and soft in the middle, just like a cookie should be!

These Swedish Cookies are a unique Christmas cookie recipe that your family will love! They feature buttery crescent cookies studded with chopped almonds.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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Disclosure: This recipe was created as a part of my partnership that I have with Fisher Nuts. I have been compensated for my time, but any opinions are my own.