Sugar Free Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are really a delightful change from the usual.
I like that these cookies can be made without adding any sugar to them!
Sugar Free Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
This is a cocoa flavored cookie with a caramel center.
To make this cookie you do not need to add any sugar!
Did you try my basic recipe for Sugar Free Thumbprint Cookies?
That thumbprint cooking is based upon the traditional cookie that has a jam filled center.
This cocoa flavored cookie has taken that basic cookie idea up a notch by making it cocoa with a caramel center.
This recipe calls for a sugar free caramel center. You can find sugar free caramel here.
I also have a recipe for sugar free caramel sauce here.
People always ask me why are they called thumbprint cookies.
It seems like thumbprint cookies are especially popular during the holiday season.
You certainly see these tasty cookies on about every kind of holiday dessert or cookie table.
These cookies are known as 'thumbprint' cookies for a good reason.
It is all about the center of these cookies where there is a 'pool of goodness' or filling.
Originally, that pool was made using a thumb or thumbprint.
A thumbprint cookie recipe is actually fairly easy to make.
You simply make the cookie, press your thumb into the center to make a thumbprint, and then fill it.
In most cases, the cookie is baked after filling that hole however, it can vary from cookie recipe to cookie recipe.
This thumbprint cookie is a bit different from the normal version.
We are adding unsweetened cocoa powder to the cookie itself to make it chocolaty,
Then we are filling the center with caramel, rather than jam.
Here are some tips for making this sugar free cookie.
This cookie is made with regular all purpose flour.
You can make this a lower carb version by using low carbohydrate all purpose flour if you choose to.
Here are some more tips for you.
- This cookie dough can be made ahead of time. Simply wrap the dough in plastic (air tight to avoid drying out) and refrigerate it.
- While you could use your thumb to dent the center of the cookie, using a wine cork instead can give your cookies a more uniform look.
- Unlike other cookies, you will probably not be able to tell when this cookie is done baking by looking for browning. Resist the urge to bake these longer than 14 minutes.
How to store thumbprint cookies
These cookies should keep for up to five days if stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator. If you choose to do so, you may want to add the caramel center just before serving.
Here are some similar recipes that you may also like.
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- Sugar Free Cinnamon Meringue Cookies.
- Keto Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cookies.
- Sugar Free Lofthouse Style Cookies.
- Ultimate Sugar Free S'More Cookies.
- Sugar Free Jam Filled Cookies.
- Vegan Keto Peanut Butter Cookies.
- Sugar Free Kool Aid Meringue Cookies.
- German Chocolate Cookies with no added sugar.
- Sugar Free Spritz Cookies.
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The recipe for Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
This is a basic cocoa cookie that is filled with caramel sauce.
There is no added sugar in this cookie recipe.
This cookie dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.
Refrigerating the dough, no matter when you make the cookies, is a good idea as this will help the cookie maintain the shape of the thumbprint center.
Ingredients needed to make sugar free cocoa shortbread cookie.
- All Purpose Flour- 2 cups, Can sub in a low carb/ keto all purpose flour or gluten free all purpose flour as long as it measures like regular flour.
- Baking Powder- 1 teaspoon.
- Salt- ½ teaspoon.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder- ¾ cup.
- Butter- 1 cup, softened to room temperature. If you are using salted butter omit the salt added to this recipe.
- Sugar Alternative- equivalent to ¾ cup of sugar. Please use a granular sugar alternative that measures 1:1 with sugar and that can also be baked with for best results.
- Egg- 1 at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract- 1 teaspoon.
- Sugar Free Caramel Sauce
How to make these sugar free cookies.
- In a medium bowl, use a fork or a whisk to blend together the flour, baking powder, salt and unsweetened cocoa.
- Next, in a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar alternative until creamy. Then add the egg and the vanilla extract. Lastly, mix in the dry ingredients from the first bowl, adding half at a time and mixing between additions. Mix until just blended.
- You can place the dough, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator until ready to use or continue. Another option is to form the cookies first and then refrigerate.
- Preheat the oven to 325 and prep two baking sheets for nonstick (parchment paper is what I use). Use a cookie scoop to scoop the first cookie, roll the cookie out between your hands and then press the cookie into the cookie sheets to about ¾ of the way in. Use your thumb, the backside of a melon baller, or a similar object to form the indent in the center of the cookie that will be used to hold the caramel. Continue this procedure for the remaining cookies.
- Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until the sides seem to be mostly set. Remove the cookies from the oven and repeat the step of making the indent in the center of each cookie to reinforce the one that you made before baking while the cookies are still warm. Then allow the cookies to fully cool on a rack before filling with the caramel sauce.
- Use a spoon or teaspoon sized scoop to fill each cookie the the caramel sauce before serving.
The Recipe Card for Sugar Free Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Sugar Free Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups Flour -see post for low carb, keto, gluten free alternatives
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup Butter
- ¾ cup Splenda - see post for alternatives
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- Sugar Free Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use a fork or a whisk to blend together the flour, baking powder, salt and unsweetened cocoa. Next, in a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar alternative until creamy. Then add the egg and the vanilla extract. Lastly, mix in the dry ingredients from the first bowl, adding half at a time and mixing between additions. Mix until just blended.
- Preheat the oven to 325 and prep two baking sheets for nonstick. Use a cookie scoop to scoop the first cookie, roll the cookie out between your hands and then press the cookie into the cookie sheets to about ¾ of the way in. Use your thumb, the backside of a melon baller, or a similar object to form the indent in the center of the cookie that will be used to hold the caramel. Continue this procedure for the remaining cookies.
- Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until the sides seem to be mostly set. Remove the cookies from the oven and repeat the step of making the indent in the center of each cookie to reinforce the one that you made before baking while the cookies are still warm. Then allow the cookies to fully cool on a rack before filling with the caramel sauce.
Recipe Notes
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See thesugarfreediva.com for details on this recipe.
most recently updated:
December 7, 2021*About Sugar Alternatives
Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This site does not endorse any specific ingredients,
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Sugar Free Caramel Thumbprint Cookies, a delicious cocoa flavored dessert treat featuring a caramel center and no added sugar.
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
You can see items that have been featured on my Sugar Free Sunday Spotlight here.