Easy Dulce De Leche Cookies - Fun Cookie Recipes

There’s something truly magical about the combination of buttery shortbread cookies and sweet, creamy dulce de leche filling. These two flavors come together perfectly in these delicious thumbprint dulce de leche cookies, which are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a simple shortbread base and a dollop of decadent dulce de leche piped into the center, these caramel-like cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion!

Holding a dulche de leche cookie with a hand, over stacked cookies.

I love dulce de leche cookies with the filling piped into the center of each cookie to make thumbprints. But I wanted a cookie that I can safely stack, gift, or package and send out. So I created these easy dulce de leche cookies where you add the filling before baking, so it sets nicely once it’s baked and cooled. This makes the cookie perfect for gifting and shipping!

If you love thumbprints, check out my Twix thumbprint cookies, delicious raspberry thumbprint cookies drizzled with lemon icing, and these cheesecake red velvet thumbprints!

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Table of Contents

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make dulche de leche cookies

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Butter: Salted butter is the main fat source in this recipe, providing moisture, flavor, and structure to the cookies. Using salted butter adds a subtle hint of saltiness, which balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature so it easily incorporates with the rest of the ingredients. To quickly soften butter, you can cut it into small pieces and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar is an essential ingredient in shortbread cookies, it sweetens the cookie without adding a grainy texture and helps create a tender and delicate crumb in the shortbread cookies. Make sure to sift the powdered sugar before using it to prevent lumps in the dough.
Flour: All-purpose flour (called plain flour in the UK) provides the structure for these cookies, making them sturdy enough to hold the dulce de leche filling.
Dulce de leche: Dulce de leche is a thick, caramel-like sauce made from sweetened condensed milk. It provides a rich, sweet, and creamy filling for the thumbprint cookies. You can find pre-made dulce de leche in most grocery stores, or make your own by simmering a can of unopened sweetened condensed milk in water for a few hours.

How To Make Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C (160°C for a fan oven), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Collage of four images showing how to make shortbread thumbprint cookies

In a mixing bowl, with a hand mixer, cream the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
Add flour and salt, and beat at low speed until a smooth dough forms.
Use a small (1-inch) cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto the lined baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each cookie, and slightly flatten each ball of dough with your hand or a class glass.
Using a teaspoon measuring spoon, create a small indention in the center of each cookie.

Collage of 3 images showing how to fill thumbprint cookies with dulce de leche and bake them

Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill the indention with dulce de leche. Do not overfill.
Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes or until the bottoms are slightly browned. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tips

Make uniform cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure equal portions of dough for each cookie. This ensures that they all bake evenly and have a consistent appearance.
Don’t overfill the thumbprints: Be careful not to overfill the thumbprint indentations with dulce de leche, as it may overflow and spread during baking. A piping bag or a small spoon can help you control the amount of filling used.
Presentation: Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra touch of decadence.

A bite shot of dulche de leche cookies to show the texture of the filling and the crumb

Storing

Store these shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen baked in Ziptop bags for up to 3 months, make sure that they come to room temperature before consuming.

Other Easy Cookies You Should Try

Recipe FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter in this recipe. However, you may need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe to compensate. I’d add an extra pinch of salt to the cookie dough.

Can I use a different type of filling?

Yes, you can customize these thumbprint cookies with other fillings if you prefer. Some alternatives include jam or preserves, chocolate ganache, caramel, or even Nutella. Just make sure the filling is thick enough to hold its shape when baked or add the filling after baking the cookies.

Why are my cookies spreading too much during baking?

If your cookies are spreading too much, it could be due to several factors, such as overly softened butter, too little flour, or not chilling the dough. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature but not melted, and measure your flour accurately. If needed, chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking to prevent excessive spreading.

Now it’s time to bake a batch of these scrumptious Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies! Enjoy, and don’t forget to rate and review this recipe, and share your creations on social media using the hashtag #FunCookieRecipes!