Coconut Thumbprint Cookies With Salted Caramel - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
12 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
44 small soft caramel candies, such as Kraft (12 ounces)
6 tablespoons heavy cream
flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low, gradually add flour and 1/2 teaspoon table salt, and beat to combine.
Press dough together in plastic wrap, then roll into 1 1/4-inch balls.
Dip each ball in beaten egg, and roll in coconut.
Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, and press an indentation into each with your thumb.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove sheets from oven, and re-press indentations. Bake cookies until golden, 9 to 10 minutes more. Let cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.
Place caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat.
Cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, 4 to 6 minutes.
Spoon into indentations in cookies, and sprinkle with sea salt.
Rewarm caramel if it hardens before all cookies are filled.