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Almond Thumbprint Cookies are light, buttery, almond flavored shortbread cookies that just melt in your mouth. They get filled with Salted Caramel and topped with slivered almonds. These cookies will blow you away!

It’s the holiday season! This year, McCormick and I are teaming up to show you two ways to showcase your holiday flavors. If you are like me and love almond-flavored desserts during this time of year, you have got to try this recipe and make my Easy Brown Butter Almond Cake. It makes an incredible dessert, too! These yummy desserts show off my flavors of home and make any holiday gathering twice as nice!

Allman thumbprint cookies stacked on top of each other on a plate.

Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Don’t you just love the different aromas of the holidays? Cinnamon, peppermint, gingerbread…. ahhhh I just love this time of year. They really bring the holidays to life! I especially love the smell of almond as you are baking. That sweet, cherry-like scent as you pour it into the batter, and how the aroma fills the house while I am baking. We love to turn on the Christmas music. Nothing seems to get us in the Christmas spirit quite like that does!

You may have seen that I posted two recipes today. My Brown Butter Almond Cake and these Almond Thumbprint Cookies are part of a two-recipe series. I am showing you how you can use one holiday classic flavor in not only one, but TWO delicious baked treats. These two desserts have hands down been my favorite to hit the blog this year. As soon as they were done baking, I almost wanted to hoard them all to myself and sneak them little by little for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ha!

These Almond Thumbprint Cookies soared to my top 5 all time favorite cookies. And that says a lot. But let me tell you just a bit about these little bites of heaven. They have a buttery almond flavored shortbread base that literally melts in your mouth. Then, they get filled with a salted caramel filling and topped with slivered almonds. They look absolutely gorgeous on that cookie plate, and let me tell you,  THEY ARE AMAZING!!

How do you make Almond Thumbprint Cookies?

  • In a medium sized mixing bowl combine butter, sugar and McCormick Almond Extract in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour and continue mixing until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.

Adding McCormick almond extract to cookie batter.

  • Preheat oven to 375 °F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with end of spoon.

Almond thumbprint cookies on a cookie sheet.

  • Next, in a microwave safe bowl melt caramels along with heavy cream and salt, stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted and smooth.
  • Fill each center of cookie with 1 tsp of the salted caramel.
  • Finish it off with topping with coarse sea salt and slivered almonds.

Almond thumbprint cookies on cookie sheet with salted caramel center.

3 things to know about McCormick’s Almond Extract:

  • Almond extract has a delicate yet nutty fruity flavor.
  • It is gluten free, non-GMO, and has no added corn syrup.
  • It is the key ingredient to make your dessert a huge hit

HOW MUCH ALMOND EXTRACT SHOULD I USE TO MAKE COOKIES?

You can substitute almond extract one for one with vanilla in a recipe. It is usually recommended to use one teaspoon in most recipes, but this cookie recipe calls for two teaspoons. This really brings out rich almond flavoring in these cookies.

Almond thumbprint cookies with salted caramel center.

IS ALMOND EXTRACT STRONGER THAN VANILLA EXTRACT?

Almond extract has a warmer, sweeter, and definitely stronger taste. It brings out rich almond flavor that is strong, pure and sweet. It is one of my favorite extracts to use while baking.

CAN I FREEZE ALMOND THUMBPRINT COOKIES?

Yes. You can freeze the cookies. Wrap it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap or foil. It will keep up to about a month in the freezer.

Almond thumbprint cookies on a gray plate.

Looking for more desserts to bake with almond extract? Look no further!

Allman thumbprint cookies on a gray plate with a small bottle of McCormick Almond extract on the side.

This post was sponsored by McCormick. All opinions expressed are my own. I love supporting brands that I use for myself in the kitchen! 

This was apart of a two series post. Click HERE to get the recipe for Easy Brown Butter Almond Cake.

Almond thumbprint cookies on a gray plate with a bottle of McCormick almond extract on the side.

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Almond Thumbprint Cookies with a Salted Caramel Center

By: Alyssa Rivers
Almond Thumbprint Cookies are light, buttery, almond flavored shortbread cookies that just melt in your mouth. They get filled with Salted Caramel and topped with slivered almonds. These cookies will blow you away!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies

Ingredients 

Caramel Coconut Layer:

  • 15 ounces caramels: store-bought or homemade soft
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • Flaking salt for topping
  • Slivered almonds for topping

Instructions 

  • In a medium sized mixing bowl combine butter, sugar and almond extract in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour and continue mixing until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
  • Preheat oven to 375 °Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with end of spoon.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool completely.
  • In a microwave safe bowl melt caramels along with heavy cream and salt, stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted and smooth.
  • Fill each center of cookie with 1 tsp of the salted caramel.
  • Top with sea salt and almond slivers and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 161mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 280IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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12 Comments

  1. Hi Alyssa how many caramels are 30 oz? I plan on making my own topping. Can you clarify what the coconut caramel is please. Thanks

    1. Caramel Coconut Layer:
      15 ounces store-bought or homemade soft
      ¼ cup heavy cream
      ½ tsp sea salt
      Flaking salt for topping
      Slivered almonds for topping

  2. Hi there! So I made this receipe to your directions, unfortunately with the 3 cups of flour and letting the dough sit in the fridge for 1.5 hr i found the dough was not dough like at all – it was still floury. Just wondering if you have got that before or what?

    1. I haven’t had that happen before. I am sorry that it didn’t work out for you. I would lessen the flour next time for these cookies. You can always knead the dough more once you take it out of the fridge. Hope it tasted great for you! XOXO