“WHAT YOU LOVE IS AS UNIQUE TO YOU AS YOUR FINGERPRINTS.” Barbara Sher
I have never read any of the books written by Barbara Sher. But I do agree with her belief that nothing will make you really happy but doing what you love. We change so much as people over time. Growth…..sometimes painful, but always a good thing! And sometimes there are aspects of ourselves that have remained the same. I know that I have enjoyed writing since I was in the 7th grade! And I still do! And yet, it seems I’ve had to experience half of my life to realize how much I love to bake! Thumbprint cookies are pretty common. But it’s what you do to them that makes them unique to you. And for me, that can only mean one thing…..
…..COCONUT!!!!!
Oh….and the caramel doesn’t hurt either. I mean…..LOOK AT THESE! When I first saw them in the latest edition of Living magazine, I knew I had to try them. They are not a macaroon. Instead, there is a soft, crumbly, shortbread like base….rolled in coconut…..baked and then filled with a rich, creamy caramel…..topped with a sprinkle of sea salt!!!
Sweet. Salty. Chewy. Crunchy.
Let’s get right to it!
FOR THE COOKIES:
(while the original recipe makes 54 cookies, I make mine bigger, measuring the dough by a Tablespoon before rolling, and this method made 40 cookies.)
3 sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs, beaten
12 oz sweetened, flaked coconut
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and mix till combined. Whisk the flour and salt together in a separate bowl. Add the flour mix to the creamed butter mix, 1/2 cup at a time. The batter will be very stiff. Place the dough in a piece of plastic wrap and press together to form a rough ball. Measure out a TBSP of dough, roll into a ball, dip it into the egg, and then roll it into the coconut, pressing a bit as you do. It is definitely more efficient if you form all the balls first. (If you want a smaller thumbprint to make 54 cookies, then measure to form 1 1/4 inch balls). Place on the parchment lined baking sheet. Make an indentation with your thumb, though I prefer to use the blunt end of the handle of my whisk, and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and give the indentations another thumb press. (This is why I use the end of my whisk handle!) Place back in the oven and bake another 8-10 minutes until golden. Cool on wire racks.
FOR THE CARAMEL:
44 small caramel candies
6 TBSP heavy cream
Fleur de Sel for sprinkling
Place the caramel candies with the cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the caramel is melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Spoon the caramel into the cookie indentations and sprinkle with sea salt to your preference. I found it worked best to transfer the caramel to a microwave safe bowl. Leaving the caramel heating, even on low, until all the cookies are baked, will cause the caramel to continue to cook and darken. To keep the color and texture of the caramel consistent, just reheat the caramel in the microwave if it begins to thicken.
The cream definitely keeps the caramel gooey and soft. Just look!
This recipe was just a little labor intensive. The step which required the most patience for me was unwrapping the 44 caramels!!! The dough, though it contains no eggs, comes together nicely and is really delicious. And just continually mix the caramel until it is completely melted and smooth and then remove it from the heat. Whether you prefer your thumbprints large or small, I hope you will make yourself a batch of these. They are well worth the effort!!!
ENJOY!!!
Anne, I love coconut and that salted caramel has me totally drooling! Beautiful cookies!
Thanks Stephanie! One of my favorite combos as well! : )
I am speechless. And that never happens. I want these…like now.
Well, Kim….then my work is done here! LOL Just kidding! Though I rarely see you short on words! ;- }
This is such a unique twist on the traditional thumbprints, it seems a shame to even call them that. I really like the changes you made-especially the caramel and salt-yum! Very creative and delicious-well done!
Thanks Tina….I agree. They should have their own name! But they are yummy never the less! Hope you try them! : )
Anne these truly look spectacular!! That first picture.. if gawker doesn’t accept that one.. they are complete fools!! I love a thumbprint and you added my beloved coconut to the recipe. This looks like such a upscale and decadent thumbprint. Well done. I’m also glad you finally realized your love for baking… because you’re simply talented at it.
Thanks Ramona….but I couldn’t sneak this one past them I’m afraid! Ha! But these coconutty treats are well worth it anyway! And you are a gem! : )
How creative! These look fantastic!
Thanks so much! : )
I can just imagine how wonderful those cookies were. What a fabulous combination!
Thanks Kristen! One of my favorite combos! : )
They look delicious!
Cindy….thanks so much! : )
Oooo… I love coconut, shortbread, and salted caramel. These may very well be the most perfect cookies of all time.
Jeanne! Thank you! These are definitely a new favorite of mine! : )
Love this, Anne. What a great way to introduce these cookies. It’s so perfect. Doing what you love is so important. I love the caramel addition to these!
Thanks Cassie….don’t you just love caramel….in anything?!!! : )
One of the greatest things about life is that we are not merely ‘aging’ but continually growing, discovering and reinventing ourselves if we remain open to it…I think it’s wonderful that you have discovered your deep love of baking and that you are sharing it – and a bigger piece of yourself – with us… I always love your quotes and reflections Anne and these caramel coconut cookies do look smashing!
Awww Kelly….thanks so much! You are a great source of support and inspiration my friend! : )
Who wouldn’t love a thumbprint filled with silk caramel? I’d consider all the unwrapping burning extra calories, LOL!!! They look amazing and you do have a way with words dear friend.
Sandra….LOL…..you are right! I think I burned 44 calories opening those 44 caramels! Well worth it all around! And thanks so much! : )
Very creative and delicious post. The combinations are brilliant. Great post
Thank you! I just love caramel and coconut….and so much more when they are together! : )
These are gorgeous! AND they have everything I love inside, so I will be making them.
Oh, Dorothy….thanks so much! I hope you love them as much as I did! : )
They are beautiful and delicious!!!!
Thanks Lola!!!! : )
I didn’t think you could make shortbread cookies any better! These look fabulous! Love that last touch of sprinkling sea salt on them – YUM!
Thanks MJ! I am with you! I’d be happy for a simple shortbread. But roll them in coconut and drizzle a bit of caramel …add a pinch of salt and I am in heaven! : )
oh my goodness Anne! these cookies are so beautiful and so very tempting!
i’m glad you’re combining your two passions : writing and baking, you’re great at both of them!
Awww…thanks Roxana! You are always such a doll! : )
These look amazing…. gooey caramel YUM! I’m a sucker for anything caramel and coconut. I’m going to bookmark them and make them for sure. I think the key to happiness in life is to do what you love and never look back. Your an amazing baker at least now you know you love it.
Wow, Susie….thank you so much! And we think alike. Because I rarely look back. Just follow what feels right! Like these cookies! Baking will always be in my future somehow….and I’m looking forward to it! : )
Isn’t it strange how life is like that!? If you asked me when I started college almost 20 years ago as an architecture major if I’d find my calling at almost 40 and head off to culinary school, I would have told you you’d been dropped on the head a few too many times as a baby. But now my life is filled with so much joy and purpose simply from doing what I love. I’m grateful that with age came wisdom!
Jen…I’m in awe of you! And so happy that you can do what you truly love for your life’s work. You know….I can see art and architecture in what you create! So the path that you took to get to where you are now so totally makes sense to me! And you know…I’m one of your greatest fans! : )
Stopping over from Cravings of a Lunatic to check out these gorgeous things! Absolutely drooling over the coconut caramel mix.