These Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies are simple to make and perfect for pumpkin spice lovers! What makes these even better is the simple homemade caramel centers!
Thumbprint cookies, oh how I love to eat thee, but I was completely terrified to make thee. Why? Because I've made thumbprint cookies once before, and they were all cracked, dry, and not great. The center was tasty, but that's about it. The dough lacked flavor and happiness.
Don't worry these Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies are soft, full of flavor, and as moist as a cookie of this structure could be.
These cookies were not my idea. I saw the idea on Sally's Baking Addiction. Sally used apple pie spice, which is quite fallish and yummy, but me, being the pumpkin spice flavor lover that I am, had to make these perfect cookies even better with pumpkin spices!
And they do not disappoint!
Don't be intimidated by that caramel either! It's fairly simple to make. I've made caramel several ways, but her way was new to me, but so simple. I'm all about simple!
After about an hour or so, these cookies are completely stackable because the caramel sort of sets up a little. Don't worry my friends, the caramel only "sets" on top. The center is still gooey. You can be like Kelsie, and eat all the cookie our from around the center, and leave the center last. She likes to savor the center.
These Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies would be fun to make with the kids. Kelsie helped me out. I shaped the dough into balls, and then she rolled then in the sugar spice mixture. She even helped me put the indention in the cookies.
We used the wooden handle from my Kitchen Aid rubber spatula. It seemed to be the perfect size and rounded shape for the thumbprint. If the cookies cracked around the edges any, we just sort of pressed them back together.
I got almost 3 dozen cookies out of these, measuring out a tad less than a tablespoon each. These are perfect for snacking on when you're craving that sweet treat!
They would also be really great for all those upcoming holiday parties where you're expected to bring something. Just be sure to bring the recipe with you, because everyone is going to be asking how to make these insanely delicious cookies!
If you're intimidated at all by the caramel, don't be. It's the most basic caramel recipe that I've ever made. You don't need a candy thermometer, and you don't need any special equipment.
You could skip the caramel, IF you really didn't want it, and use pumpkin butter. But I'm not sure that you'll have the same "set" that the caramel does. They may be a bit messy. So just give the caramel a try, just once! You never know what you're capable of until you try.
If you make these cookies, come back and tell us what you thought!
Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookie Ingredients:
- flour
- pumpkin pie spice
- baking powder
- salt
- butter
- sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- heavy whipping cream
How to make Pumpkin Spice Thumbprints?
- Whisk the dry ingredients together.
- Cream the wet ingredients together.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Roll balls of dough and roll into the topping mixture.
- Put the indention into each cookie.
- Chill indented dough.
- Make the caramel.
- Bake.
- Fill with caramel.
- Bake another 2 minutes.
Here are some of our favorite pumpkin recipes:
Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies
These Caramel Pumpkin Spice Thumbprint Cookies are simple to make and perfect for pumpkin spice lovers! What makes these even better is the simple homemade caramel centers!
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Caramel
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Cookies
- Whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl attached to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together for at least two minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, beat until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients, and beat until just combined. Set aside.
- Mix together the topping in a small bowl. Measure the cookie dough a little less than one tablespoon, shape into rounded balls. Roll into the topping mix. Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Continue this process until you run out of dough. Using your thumb or the handle of a large utensil, make an indention in the center of the cookies. If they are cracking around the edges, just push the cracks back together. Chill the dough for two hours, but no more than 3 hours.
- After the cookies have chilled for a little over an hour, make the caramel. See below.
- Bake for 12 minutes, remove from the oven, and spoon ½ teaspoon of the caramel into the centers. Bake for another 2 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on baking sheets for at least 5 minutes before removing to cooling racks, to cool completely.
Caramel
- Heat the sugar in a medium pot over medium to high heat. Stirring constantly. The sugar will eventually start to brown and clump up, before melting into a thick bubbling liquid.
- As soon as the sugar has melted, add the butter, one piece at a time, stirring constantly. The sugar will rise up a tad as the butter as added, so be careful. Once all the butter has been added, stir for about two minutes. Very slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine. Allow the mixture to boil for one minute. Remove from the stove, and allow to cool. I poured mine into a mason jar to help it cool off quicker.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
18Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 305Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 174mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g
robin rue
These cookies sound awesome. I know they are going to be a huge hit with my youngest son who loves pumpkin spice EVERYTHING!!!
Karen Morse
That looks amazing! I love caramel and I also love pumpkin spice! Those two together in one sweet treat definitely makes me and my tummy happy! Thanks for the recipe!
The Cubicle Chick
I'm not a big fan of pumpkin but the caramel in the middle has me wanting to go for it. These look so good. Thanks for sharing. - yolonda
Cherri Megasko
So - How can you make pumpkin spice cookies even better? Add caramel! I can't wait to try this recipe. We're on an extended stay in Belize right now and the weather is hot and humid year-round. I'm sure these flavors will help put us in the autumn spirit!
AnnMarie John
I can never have enough pumpkin spice inspired recipes for this season, I swear! I think this one's a must try! It's really yummy and it's perfect with either coffee or a glass of milk. I'm sure the kids will love it too!
Cassie
I love thumbprint cookies. We don't have pumpkin spice here in Australia but I'm so keen to try it - these cookies look amazing
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place
That looks really good and tasty! Pumpkin spice is one of the flavors that I look forward to during this season and I'm sure this recipe is going to be a hit with my two boys!
Anjanette Young
Oh my goodness, this thumbprint cookie recipe looks amazing. I bet they are delicious by themselves or with my coffee. Thank you for sharing, I can't wait to give this recipe a try.
Jessica Joachim
These look amazing! I love pumpkin and caramel, si I am sure I would love these! I will have to add them to my "fall baking list"
Melissa Dixon
Oh wow these looks so good! I would love to try to make these right away, I love anything pumpkin spice!
Rachel
I love thumbprint cookies. Yours look so symmetrical and perfectly shaped. THanks for sharing.
Cindy Ingalls
I used to love thumbprint cookies as a kid. I can’t remember the last time I had one. Love the fall flavor idea of using pumpkin spice.
Lynndee
Those look delicious! And cute too. 🙂 I don't think I've ever had thumbprint cookies before. I must make those ASAP.
Bradley C Finnearty
These sound really great. I am a huge caramel fan. The pumpkin spice just adds to it. I am going to have to try this one.
Heather
These look amazing and like something that would make our kitchen smell wonderful while baking! Adding to our weekend lineup!
Terri Steffes
I know I am going to have to make some of these for my mom's Thanksgiving party! How fun and tasty this will be on our table!