Pecan Pie Thumbprints Recipe

Name: Pecan Pie Thumbprints
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: For dough; 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; For filling; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 1 large egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or bourbon); 1 pinch coarse salt; 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped; For caramel drizzle; 4 ounces caramel candies, unwrapped; 2 tablespoons heavy cream, plus more as needed

Servings: persons

For dough
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For filling
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or bourbon)
1 pinch coarse salt
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
For caramel drizzle
4 ounces caramel candies, unwrapped
2 tablespoons heavy cream, plus more as needed

1
To make dough, combine butter and cream cheese in bowl of electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Mix in sugars and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes more. Blend in vanilla extract. With mixer on low speed, mix in pecans, salt and flour just until fully incorporated. Cover bowl and transfer to refrigerator. Chill dough for about 30-60 minutes.
2
While dough is chilling, make filling. In medium bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, corn syrup, egg yolk, vanilla and salt. Whisk just until blended. Stir in pecans.
3
Preheat oven to 350?F. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Scooping about 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll dough into balls. Place dough balls on baking sheets 2-3 inches apart. Use your thumb (or wine cork) to make a small round indentation in the center of each dough ball, about 1 inch in diameter. Fill each indentation with some of pecan filling mixture.
4
Bake cookies, rotating pans halfway through, until light golden and set, about 16-18 minutes total. Cool briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire rack set over wax paper or foil. Let cool completely.
5
To make caramel drizzle, combine the caramels and heavy cream in small microwave safe bowl. Heat in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until caramels are fully melted and mixture is smooth. If needed, add more cream, 1 teaspoon at a time, mixture reaches drizzling consistency. Drizzle caramel over cooled cookies on wire rack. If caramel begins to harden, microwave for 10 more seconds and stir to rewarm.

1503

kcal

Calories

103

Fat

133

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 20 ingredients. The key ingredients include: For dough, 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and more.

Yes, Pecan Pie Thumbprints falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Pecan Pie Thumbprints

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions