Friday, March 2, 2012

Salted Caramel and Coconut Thumbprint Cookies




A large number of people I know go bananas for anything chocolate. Don’t hear me wrong, I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate – the higher the cocoa the better in my book. But when it comes to anything with caramel, now my ears perk up and my mouth begins to salivate. Ever since being a kid, I have loved caramel. If any of you remember the caramel sundea that was served at McDonalds – it was the best. This was before it turned to be frozen yogurt and it was real ice cream. It had a distinct creaminess that was out of this world and that hot caramel topping – for fast food it was delicious.



Today caramel has gone designer. All the rage is salted caramel. I must confess, it is dangerously delicious and quite addicitive. The funny thing is that it is super easy to make and keeps in the refrigerator for a lifetime, it seems. When I finally opened my February issue of Martha Stewart Living, I could not help but have my eyes drawn to these delightful cookies. The word salted caramel and coconut drew me in and to imagine that this was rolled up into a buttery thumbprint cookie – now I am in cookie heaven.


I modified the recipe by adding more vanilla and making my own salted caramel sauce along with cutting the cooking time. The result was amazing and highly addictive. Since I knew I would not have any self control, I opted to bring them to one of my offices and share. Later in the day, I received this email from Redford who I work with. I just had to share with all of you.



From: Redford
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 3:40 PM
To: Lisa
Subject: OMG ...

They were amazing! I just finished the last caramel-macaroon-fabulousness.

Ate more than half in the bowl... you can ask Matt and Spencer. You made it a really, really good Monday :o)

Thank you,

Redford


Salted Caramel and Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Makes approximately 54 cookies

3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 t. Salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten + 1 tablespoon water
12 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
Large, flaky fleur de sel

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour and 2 teaspoon table salt, and beat to combine. Press dough together in plastic wrap or into two balls, then roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. I used a small cookie scoop to ensure each cookie was uniform in size. Dip each ball in beaten egg with water, and roll in coconut. Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, and press an indentation into each with your thumb. Press a bit together if the sides spread out to much. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, then remove sheets from oven, and re-press indentations. I used the end of a rounded knife to push the dough down. Let cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

Salted Caramel Sauce

1 ½ C. sugar
¼ C. water
½ t. lemon juice
1 C. heavy cream
2 t. Grey Salt

Stir sugar, water and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat; boil without stirring until the mixture turns deep amber brown. This should take about 9 minutes. Take off the stove and hold over the sink before pouring the cream mixture into the sugar mixture. It will boil and bubble. Once calmed down, add grey salt and set back on the burner and reduce slightly over medium low heat for about 8 minutes. Chill until thickened. Put into another container and let come to room temperature when ready to use. Spoon into indentations in cookies, and sprinkle with sea salt.



39 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you! Let me know how you like them if you make them. Have a great weekend!

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  2. Lisa, this was the last post I read last night so needless to say, I fell asleep thinking of these gorgeous thumbprint cookies. Salted caramel in a cookie? This screams winner to me!

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    1. I bet you had dreams of caramel! They are really delish! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  3. AH MA GAWD NOM!

    These look absolutely fabulous! I've never made my own caramel before. I think this is a sign that I need to make, bookmarking your recipe so I can do so! Thanks for the inspiration! ;)

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    1. Let me know how the caramel sauce turns out. It is super simple and I typically have a small spoonful. Or two. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

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  4. I'm with you regarding caramel! And, I've had my eyes on these cookies since seeing them in Living. Your salted caramel sounds great for them. Wish I could grab a few off the screen.

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    1. I know -didn't they just pop off the page and scream - make me now! If you love caramel - you will flip for this one.

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  5. These are one of the cutest thumbprint cookies I have ever seen!

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  6. Lisa, these cookies look like they might be dangerous in my kitchen! I love the salted caramel, please pass the spoon, lol!

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    1. That is why I brought them to work since I know that I would eat WAY too many. Wait til you taste the caramel -it is simply divine and wonderful over vanilla ice cream.

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  7. We think we'd eat most of it out of the bowl too! They sound, and look, amazing!

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  8. These were on the cover of Martha Stewart Living last month.

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    1. They were featured in the February issue of Martha Stewart's living on page 6 and the recipe is on page 145 or you can find it online. Enjoy!

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  9. that salted caramel looks SO delectable!!!! I love salted caramel :D and to combine them with coconut yummy!

    Thanks for sharing! Congrats for being Top 9 on Foodbuzz!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and the nice comment! Have a great night!

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  10. Wow, fascinating! You put two of my favorite flavors together, and it sounds like it should work perfectly :) Great recipe, thank you so much for sharing! :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! If you love caramel and coconut - you will be in heaven on your first bite.

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  11. Wow these look delicious. That caramel really gets me, love that photo. I bet these are really tasty. Congrats on the Top 9.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and the kind words. Once I took that photo of the caramel - I too love it.

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  12. That looks like the best salted caramel! Thanks for the recipe!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love the combination of salted caramel and coconut. Your cookies look delicious:) Congratulations on Foodbuzz Top 9!

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    1. Thank you for the nice comment and stopping by. Hope that you enjoy them If you make them.

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  14. OH MY GOODNESS - these sound like Heaven on a plate. I too have gone crazy with the salted caramel and have always be one of the biggest fans of coconut, so this is PERFECT. Thank you for sharing -- and making me drool a little ;)

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    1. You are so welcome and I hope you make them soon. You will not be disappointed for sure.:)

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  15. These look and sound so good! I love this idea, salted caramel and coconut would be so heavenly!

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    1. Thank you! If you make them - let me know how you like them.

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  16. Lisa, I want you as my office mate! These look just perfect to me. Coconut and caramel - what's not to love:)
    -E

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    1. Thank you for the kind words! I must say that my offices do benefit from my baking binges. Have a great upcoming weekend!

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  17. Ahhh! Yum!! I, too, am a fan of anything caramel. I saved the recipe, but am thinking that having an abundance of caramel on hand may be dangerous ;)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and yes this caramel is dangerous - but in a good way. :)

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  18. How many cookies does this recipe make? I am making them as Christmas presents :)

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  19. I can attest to the awesomeness of these cookies :)

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  20. hi wow much is 3 sticks? i'm from argentina and i want to make this sooooooo much! thank you!

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